To the west of the wood, the trees are mainly native Scots pine; moving to the east they become more thinly spaced with gaps filled by a profusion of young birch. An ancient and overgrown beech hedge makes up the northern boundary against the B6355.

Throughout the wood are scattered a few self-seeded beeches with the occasional holly and willow along the trackside drainage channel.

The woodland floor is an interesting mix of mosses and ferns with lowland heather and the occasional blueberry and bramble.

The presence of transient deer and badger is evidenced by several narrow pathways which crisscross the landscape. Small poke holes in the mossy carpet are sure indicators of the home of stoats and weasels.

Throughout the understorey a variety of finches and tits flit from bough to bough, whilst at ground level wrens and robins compete for an insect lunch.

The network of drainage channels gives seasonal standing water habitat for frogs, toads and other amphibians always on the lookout for fresh breeding grounds.

The wood features pleasant easy access with a rustic bench provided to encourage a restful approach to wildlife watching. A good hardstanding exists which would be an excellent stacking and drying area for timber gathered whilst managing the wood.

Access into the wood is via a double gated entrance off the Gifford to Pencaitland B6355, this opens onto a well-made stone track leading to the ridestop entrance to the wood. From this point onwards, small pathways lead into the woods with footbridge crossing points over the drainage ditches.

The sporting rights are owned and included in the sale.

Ideally suited for conservation and increasing biodiversity through gentle management, the wood is also a forager's paradise. Brambles and raspberry abound and in autumn a large variety of fungi sprout from the moss-covered leaf litter.

Small-scale thinning would easily provide a sustainable domestic fuel source whilst an overnight stopover would give an opportunity to view the nocturnal habits of the local wildlife.

The woodland's name is a nod to that famous Scot reformer John Knox, who was reputed to have been born in nearby Haddington in 1505. Exiled into Europe due to his clash with the catholic Mary 1st, he returned to establish the Scottish Presbyterian church.

To the south of the wood lie the Lammamuir hills which contain several excellent walking and cycling trails. The Pencaitland Railway Walk which starts in Gifford offers wonderful views of parts of East Lothian that are inaccessible by car. The trees and hedgerows along the route offer shelter to a great diversity of wildlife and many rare wild flowers are established along the embankments.