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[beyond paradise]

I have lived in France for 6 years...trying out the hippy/self sufficient lifestyle

I have bought 1.3 hectares of woodland bordering my property mainly for use as a heating fuel BUT there are at least 20 oak trees ranging from 300mm diameter to 600mm (12 to 24 inch for the non metric out there) fallen from the storm of 2000. It seems a shame to use for firewood as i have several barn type projects in mind.

To get to the point I am looking at buying a husqvarna 570 68cc chainsaw 60cm (24") bar/chain for use with an alaskan mill 24" and mini mill for making 3 sided cant ( i believe thats the tech jargon) I was going to buy the EZ rails but looks like everyone else uses a ladder. Now...this lot is going to cost me and I dont want to make the wrong choice since the idea is NOT to buy in any more timber........ ANYONE WANT TO OFFER ADVICE ? SUGGESTIONS.... Thank you

[ScottF]

Lots of capital outlay for not much return. Have you looked at the cost of buying that much timber (bearing in mind only a fraction of the logs will be converted into nice wide boards) vs the cost of all the tools? Will you use the tools much beyond clearing up this windfall?

 

Have you thought of seeing if there might not be a local person who could do it for you, either on a price, or in return for some of the wood? I've always found the french quite amenable to a bit of tax-free commerce.

[Graham]

I'd go along with the previous post. Is there a local mill that would do a deal on milling it for you?

[josharb87]

Where abouts in france are you?

[Amelanchier]

Further to what Scott has said above, I suspect its more sustainable to source the conversion work from local trade/crafts persons - definatley more efficient financially.

 

I realise the purpose of the exercise is to be self sustaining and not buy more timber in but its a mistake to forget the sustainable use of capital/finance in the equation. With the cash saved by outsourcing the conversion work or (perhaps even buying in the more critical bits of timber) you can invest back into the woodland. A proactive management plan will yield greater returns over a longer period than reactive use of occaisional products. You might even get to the point where it pays for itself...

 

If you're already doing that then I'll shut up!

[beyond paradise]

Thank you all for the replies....BUT..

a) trees cannot easily be removed form site..no vehicular access and steep slope

b)I thought that I had done my financial homework

 

I was expecting replies on the cc of chainsaw/bar and the alaskan mill equipment...

 

SUMMARY of finances

equip cos €1750

return €3600 min excl 20m3 firewood thats 0.27m3 planked wood per tree 20 trees = 5.4m3 @ € 670m3 for kiln dried beams (over €2000m3 planks)

 

Not incl above my labour (free to me) say €20 hr 4hrs per tree = 80hrs= €1600....im still ahead by €250

AND I STILL HAVE OVER 50 STANDING OAKS to be processed in the future

 

 

HAVE I GOT SOMETHING VERY WRONG ?.?????

 

PS I live in the north of The Charente 50 km north of Angouleme

[josharb87]

well you want the biggest saw possible for milling, power rules. ms880 is what i use. for milling 24 inch, you prob need a 30inch bar minimum, as the mill deducts a few inches, if you go the 880 route, a 36inch bar and chain and mill would be ideal

 

BUT, if youre going to be felling the trees with the same saw, the 880 is major over kill, so a ms660 would be my choice, with 25inch bar for felling and cross cutting and 30inch for milling with milling chain. and might aswell get a 36inch mill incase you go bigger bar/saw in the future (a big mill will fit smaller bars)

[Stephen Blair]

Read Tonys post again mate.

[beyond paradise]

ok stephen iv have re-read tonys reply

Firstly the woodland is an old hornbeam and maple coppice with perhaps 50 standing oaks ranging from 200 to 600mm dia The land has not been coppiced for over 50 years and I have made a start to rejuvinate. This will be for firewood for the rest of my life and beyond. The fallen oaks are the icing on the cake and too valuable a resource to be used as firewood. I use approx 8m3 per annum and on a 25yr cycle the woodland should provide this. In this way I think i am managing proactively..After milling the fallen oaks I still have the equipment for further conversion....Bear in mind this is only ONE of my activities .... Organic fruit veg eggs meat wine/cider making garden and house maintenance....dont have time for a proper job.

[Amelanchier]

If you want to get involved, have a play and be able to say "I cut that beam myself" then go with what you'd planned (with Josh's choice of saw). Nothing wrong with that at all - I'd probably want to do the same. However, a pro will maximise the product, cut the right bits more often and create far less waste. He'll also show you how to stack/store it and you'll gain much more from the experience - information that you can use in the future. At the very least I'd suggest costing that option as well to compare if its pure sustainability your after.

 

Sounds like you have a good setup (I'm jealous). I doubt I have earned much authority on sustainable living sitting here in my beaten up Victorian terrace, typing in between hurling entire plantations into my woodburner so that I can heat the rest of the town through my duff windows...