Where to start reading..

[Kat1e]

We may be taking on a reasonable size area of woodland. I am interested in researching two main things:

-Grants that may be available.

-General management including pruning, hedge laying, coppicing and managing for species diversity.

I've done the google searches obviously, but personal recommendations of good sources from people who know what they are on about- unlike me!- would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[jonathan hall]

oliver rackhams books, give you the history, history, history of woodlands and woodland management. without knowledge of what has gone before, you might start cutting something of historical importance or might learn something about past management.

it just gives you a broad knowledge.

'history of the countryside' is one and 'trees and woodlands in the british landscape' is another...

GGGRREAT books, my a great man!

 

as for grants, not a clue!:

[Kat1e]

Thanks Jonathan. Will look up some of his books. I'm unlikely to cut something of historical importance- it's a very young forest excluding a small number of hedge line trees. Sure there's plenty I could do wrong still though so am keen to read up and attend more courses.

[David oakman]

Hi for grants you want FC or Defra. Also there are small grants from local councils or the tree council. As for books any Fc books or bulletins all of the tree council books are good. Ben laws books are good for management. A good magazine to get is living woods. And you will get a lot out of joining the small woods association i hope this helps:001_smile:

[David oakman]

Oops forgot oliver rackams books i have them all but i find them very hard going and read them a bit at a time i find it easy to read something like Mike abbots living woods tells you all the tools you need how to use them. what to do with your woods it is the whole package:001_smile:

[Kat1e]

Thanks David. Re. grants, is the info. available on the internet or is phoning them better? Thanks for the book recommendations. Had considered joining the small woods association- how small does a wood have to be to count as a small wood?! I hadn't heard of the magazine you mention, will look that up.

[Darren]

Thanks David. Re. grants, is the info. available on the internet or is phoning them better? Thanks for the book recommendations. Had considered joining the small woods association- how small does a wood have to be to count as a small wood?! I hadn't heard of the magazine you mention, will look that up.

 

I don't think they care what size of the woods is. Lots of info here Small Woodland Owners Group

 

Best place to start with is getting in contact with your local forestry commision office he'll be happy to come to your woods and give you advice and what grants are available. And it's free!

Edited November 25, 2009 by Darren
add stuff

[David oakman]

Go on to the FC england site and click on grants. But you can also search for things like rides and glades there are grants for these. The living woods magazine is a great read from living to working in woods, what to eat and how to use wood:001_smile:

[Kat1e]

Thanks Darren, have had a visit from FC already- very useful- but didn't discuss grants or specific management, more the future possible use of the wood. Will arrange another chat with them, perhaps after I've done more reading and have more idea what to ask to make the most of the visit. Thanks for the link, it's good to know they don't mind what size the wood is (their name threw me a bit! ).

[Kat1e]

That's great David. There are already numerous rides through it, but would certainly be interested in more glades. The magazine sounds good- I especially like the sound of the 'what to eat' bit!