Ideas for wood on nature reserve

[Francesca Ecopark]

Hi,

 

I started a new job for the Wildlife Trust and manage a site with WAY, Way too much wood ( I know its hard to believe). It was used for green wood working. This activity might continue but in a much smaller way and the wood on site is now becoming a liability.  So the site has piles of wood all over the place, some is trash, or habitat pile quality. Most of the rest has or may have woodworm, which is gutting as there was some really nice wood there.

I am trying to recoup whatever I can financially but even if there is no real financial value, ideas of ways to get the wood off site would be appreciated or ideas of what the wood could be used for. 

 

Would people buy or use wood with woodworm if donated? I know it would have to be treated or dried etc

 

The following I would like suggestions for if possible.

 

Dry wood

 

Planks of oak 

Possibly some london Plane or Sweetchestnut planks 

Bits of logs and planks (fire wood charcoaling)

 

Wet wood ( as in cut a long time ago and sat outside, some with a little cover others open to weather)

 

Planks of oak 

Possibly some london Plane or Sweetchestnut planks 

Just lots of wood stumps etc off cuts?

 

We don't have much space for drying hence lots of wet wood.

 

Green wood

 

Logs of sweet chestnut unprocessed ( we could sell some of this but there are issues getting it off site)

 

There will also be some green wood created through management of the site.

 

Thanks in advance

 

[Dan Maynard]

Firewood. We have a firewood pile from the local wildlife trust wood which is nearly run out.

 

Or are you looking to process and sell stuff yourself? You can make firewood without shelter, depending on where you are in the country.

 

Where are you?

 

 

[Squaredy]

4 hours ago, Francesca Ecopark said:

Hi,

 

I started a new job for the Wildlife Trust and manage a site with WAY, Way too much wood ( I know its hard to believe). It was used for green wood working. This activity might continue but in a much smaller way and the wood on site is now becoming a liability.  So the site has piles of wood all over the place, some is trash, or habitat pile quality. Most of the rest has or may have woodworm, which is gutting as there was some really nice wood there.

I am trying to recoup whatever I can financially but even if there is no real financial value, ideas of ways to get the wood off site would be appreciated or ideas of what the wood could be used for. 

 

Would people buy or use wood with woodworm if donated? I know it would have to be treated or dried etc

 

The following I would like suggestions for if possible.

 

Dry wood

 

Planks of oak 

Possibly some london Plane or Sweetchestnut planks 

Bits of logs and planks (fire wood charcoaling)

 

Wet wood ( as in cut a long time ago and sat outside, some with a little cover others open to weather)

 

Planks of oak 

Possibly some london Plane or Sweetchestnut planks 

Just lots of wood stumps etc off cuts?

 

We don't have much space for drying hence lots of wet wood.

 

Green wood

 

Logs of sweet chestnut unprocessed ( we could sell some of this but there are issues getting it off site)

 

There will also be some green wood created through management of the site.

 

Thanks in advance

 

A bit more detail would help such as pics of timber stacks, location, and whether there is good access for timber lorries.

 

My guess is the wood is rather randomly dotted around the site with no decent extraction routes, and it sounds like it is generally low grade.  In which case you will be unlikely to get any return and indeed unless you want lots of random people doing goodness knows what around the site you will have to pay a specialist professional to get rid of it.

 

If you have a load of active volunteers you might be able to get them to process some of it, but it will involve a lot of careful management to keep them safe and possibly hiring in some expensive kit.

 

There are Arbtalk members who could probably help process into firewood or mill into boards, but it will be a hefty outlay with no guarantee you will ever recoup the costs.

[Stere]

Having too much deadwood ecology wise is an impossibililty unless its vital you clear space on the the site for some other uses?

 

It may look an untidy mess and unatural as planked etc but  its all habitat and nature won't differentiate between a fallen tree and a pile of planked wood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Francesca Ecopark]

Hi,

 

Thanks were in the Birmingham.. access is a bit awkward as it is one way in and out and limited turning circle, but we have had a load of sweet chestnut delivered at some point, so I am guessing its viable.

 

@Dan Maynard We might be willing to process the wood ourselves dependent draw backs and benefits. As stated we don't have much storage space to keep things dry. So it might make sense to have someone else. I have a few people who are happy to come and get the dry fire wood but its the other elements.

 

@Squaredy, As above, covid has limited volunteering.. Some of it is in planks just worm wood so I wondered would people still want it if treated. Once lock down is complete I am happy to have people on site that's not an issue. The eco park is not a nature reserve as we might think of it more of centre with lots of habitats.. so people will be around any way.

 

@Stere While I appreciate dead wood is good.. it also needs to be in balance. I have managed more natural sites with a massive amount of dead wood and its been appropriate. This is wood that was brought in for jobs and while some will stay for habitat piles etc,.... trust me their are lots of habitat piles already.. It also becomes a liability for slips, trips and putting your foot through it or having to work around it... 

We also need space for other habitat areas such as species rich meadows, the orchards etc.

 

Thanks everyone for your thought's..