Maybe the UK should plant more....

[The avantgardener]

I had a walk round some experimental planting blocks this afternoon, apologies for the poor quality phone shots.

 

2 species of Eucalyptus planted after the 87 storm.

1) gunnii averaged out at 40cm DBH, around 50ft high.

2) pauciflora averaged out at 30cm DBH, around 79ft high.

There are at least 20 more species dotted about as specimens, including nitens, I will take some more photos when I am back there minus the kids.

 

A small block of Leylandii planted in 1971.

Average DBH of 60cm but some considerably more, gun barrel straight and 90ft. The edge trees in sunlight resemble large garden specimens with branches down to ground level, the shaded edge trees and trees inside the block had no lower limbs under 30ft.

 

And a swerve ball of monkey puzzle planted in the 30’s. Average DBH of 40cm, all around 60ft, and has the added advantage that it will readily coppice.

[nepia]

That Leyland plantation is Tolkienesque!

 

I've never heard of the ability of MP to coppice; I assumed that cutting the stem below the existing branch line would kill it.  Another schoolday - thanks.

 

As an aside... you have great knowledge of East Sussex; do you know anything of the history of the Euc plantation beside the A21 at Lamberhurst?  It's been there most, if not all of my life and that started when Yuri Gagarin was doing his thing!

Edited June 14, 2020 by nepia

[The avantgardener]

14 minutes ago, nepia said:

That Leyland plantation is Tolkienesque!

 

I've never heard of the ability of MP to coppice; I assumed that cutting the stem below the existing branch line would kill it.  Another schoolday - thanks.

 

As an aside... you have great knowledge of East Sussex; do you know anything of the history of the Euc plantation beside the A21 at Lamberhurst?  It's been there most, if not all of my life and that started when Yuri Gagarin was doing his thing!

I go past that plantation most days and cut on the estate behind it regularly. I have been invited by the owner to take a look around but haven’t had time as yet.
Apparently the plantation was originally a nursery that specialised in Eucalyptus when they first started to become fashionable as Amenity trees, they where left to flourish in situ when the nursery closed.

[nepia]

Thus creating a small corner of New South Wales!

 

Thanks very much.

 

Jon

[Paul in the woods]

2 hours ago, The avantgardener said:

And a swerve ball of monkey puzzle planted in the 30’s. Average DBH of 40cm, all around 60ft, and has the added advantage that it will readily coppice.

Any cones on the MP? I gather the seeds are sought after and you might get a worthwhile crop from those.

[The avantgardener]

6 minutes ago, Paul in the woods said:

Any cones on the MP? I gather the seeds are sought after and you might get a worthwhile crop from those.

There are always large cones on these, the seeds are great toasted or used instead of Pine nuts in Pesto. They are a swine to get at being on the tips of the branches and they tend to fall apart when ripe as you branch walk out to get them.

[Sutton]

On 14/06/2020 at 06:37, ESS said:

Timber in general is a cash crop, past generations grew it for the next generation. The changes in planting through to milling over the past 30-40 years is such that stands of timber are now coming to market as clearfell within 40- 50 years, with very little management after establishment. 

 

 

Is Continuous Cover still practised? 

[Elmsdown Forestry]

On 13/06/2020 at 18:08, The avantgardener said:

Haven’t got a clue. Wouldn’t surprise me if they where making tool handles and shipping them back.

The ash butts I just sold will end up in Vietnam, that’s where they are all going if ending up in containers. They use them to make furniture or the carcasses and ship it into China where apparently it stays. 

[wills-mill]

Great thread. Very partial to a bit of Lawson's Cypress, maybe some more love for Alder on soggy spots too.

 I'm getting slightly sweaty palms looking at the lovely stand of Leylandii in @The avantgardener 's photos. I actually reckon it's time for a bit of salesmanship and carry out a rebranding exercise to give the timber some mysticism and exotic charm for the customers who would ordinarily scoff and spit out the word "conifer".

 

[slack ma girdle]

Great thread. Very partial to a bit of Lawson's Cypress, maybe some more love for Alder on soggy spots too.

 I'm getting slightly sweaty palms looking at the lovely stand of Leylandii in @The avantgardener 's photos. I actually reckon it's time for a bit of salesmanship and carry out a rebranding exercise to give the timber some mysticism and exotic charm for the customers who would ordinarily scoff and spit out the word "conifer".


 

Lying on the ground, Laylandii has lasted longer than Larch as bearers for my log stacks. The oldest is 10 years old with no sign of rot