Sycamore

[Crazy Cutter]

Oliver Rackham and others seem to think it was introduced around 1500 and there is no evidence to support Roman introduction. Its good for firewood and coppices well but i would always take ash as it has more uses and hence markets.

[Stereo]

Surely it grows faster than ash? Anyone have any data on that. We took one out a few years ago which was interfering with an electric pole. I only burnt it last year and the regrowth is almost proper firewood again.

[Crazy Cutter]

Surely it grows faster than ash? Anyone have any data on that. We took one out a few years ago which was interfering with an electric pole. I only burnt it last year and the regrowth is almost proper firewood again.

 

My coppiced ash outgrows sycamore when not nibbled by deer. I would guess it depends on the site and soil. Sycamore under a canopy will do better than ash and open grown ash better. On a slightly wet site ash will romp away from a planted whip.

[Stereo]

Interesting. That may change my plans a bit. More research needed.

[corylus]

Its to do with the amount of birdlife they can support through the high quanties of inverts that are present on sycamores. Which is funny as many organisations that really push for the removal of sycamore are conservation bodies. Its becoming more common practise to leave any mature canopy sycamores now and focus on removing any new regeneration.

 

Yes I know, thats why I said sycs hold a large amount of biomass:001_tt2:

 

Wanted some specifics.

[JimM]

Bump.

 

What's the best way to get rid of the new Sycamore growth under a canopy? Just cleared about 1 1/2 acres of it around some stunning Douglas Firs with chainsaw and brushcutter. Well aware it's going to coppice like mad, but need to eradicate new growth before it takes over again.

 

Timbrell spraying perhaps?

 

Cheers.

[Matthew Arnold]

Timbrel or cut and glyphosate the stumps if they are high enough to be cut again

[Goaty]

Millions of babys probably waiting to grow on the floor, might take a few years to keep on top of them.

[JimM]

Thanks. There's another 2 acres or so to clear through. It's an area of the estate that has been left alone for a few years. There's loads of big Douglas in this area, carefully planted many many years ago, with a few Wellingtonia thrown in to boot. Sadly most of the elms have had it and will be coming down if they're not down already. Will be a lovely area to walk through once clear.

[gensetsteve]

Sycamore feels lighter than ash when seasoned and tends to go black as it dries I seem to remember. If ash grows as well on your land I would go with that.