Hypothetical - ideal woodland - what would you plant?

[ChrisT]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I am looking into this myself.

 

I have around 2 acres I can play with.

 

I did some work measuring experimental university plantings.

 

Ash die back is a worry now, but planting at 1x1m spacings, ash, cherry, birch and sycamore, you have to leave access but has a lot of plus points:

 

Quick first thinning for firewood- if low diameter logs.

Straight clear boles, no need for pruning.

Potential for high grade timer later on.

Continuous firewood and can run the sycamore and ash as coppice when you remove the poorer specimens.

 

My main concerns are quick(ish) growing species.

[Big J]

Hi Chris, and welcome to the forum.

 

Just plant birch. I felled one yesterday in a stand of mainly Oak and sycamore to favour the Oak. I love birch and hate felling decent specimens, but that's the job specification.

 

This tree was less than 50 years old, 18 inches diameter and 75ft tall. At least a tonne of timber in it, despite growing in a fairly exposed (to north easterlies) position.

 

I've worked in other stands on the estate with 15 year old birch 40ft tall and 8 inch DBH. For clean, trouble free timber, just plant birch!

[doobin]

For clean, trouble free timber, just plant birch!

 

Good for firewood but very short shelf life. Doesn't last five minute on the fire, but for Mr Average that just means more loads sold!

[ChrisT]

Thanks, I joined a while ago, I've been taking in information.

I like birch, some good firewood and quick cover, I have a turner at the minute who has asked me for 4-6" diameter birch with smooth bark. So there is a market for it.

I was thinking of giving the venture the chance of selling timber at a later date, taking firewood in the mean time to make it viable. But obviously the returns would just be a holiday for my grand kids lol.

If after thinnings you can leave ash or similar at 10x10m spacing's you should be left with coppice with standards and an income of firewood.

[G'day Spruce]

Bloody hell Tozer you do get about

 

Me personally, my ideal planting would be Douglas around the perimeter, double row 3' spacings, the interior would then be alternate double racks of Beech, Birch, Ash and maybe a block in the centre with Grand Fir and Norway Spruce...

[the hedge man]

I would go with good old british natives. Love the oak, beech, birch, etc. And plenty hawthorn as being out on my sunday walk I noticed the blackbirds hopping amongst the canopy having it's breakfast!

[ChrisT]

Bloody hell Tozer you do get about

 

Me personally' date=' my ideal planting would be Douglas around the perimeter, double row 3' spacings, the interior would then be alternate double racks of Beech, Birch, Ash and maybe a block in the centre with Grand Fir and Norway Spruce...[/quote']

 

 

That I do, though I know less of your getting about.

 

If you put in the softwoods you will get some cracking roost shooting on the pigeons as well.

[G'day Spruce]

That I do, though I know less of your getting about.

 

If you put in the softwoods you will get some cracking roost shooting on the pigeons as well.

 

You know who it is Chris, just think who do you know that fishes and cut's tree's

[ChrisT]

You know who it is Chris' date=' just think who do you know that fishes and cut's tree's [/quote']

 

 

Fair play, thinking about it I haven't come across many fisherman cutters, it was the spaniels and shooting on your profile that threw me.

[born2trot]

I'm going to throw my hat in for some guelder rose , stunning late winter berries hanging like jewels gorgeous to look at and important for the birds

Ps if you like birch get yourself over to Sweden , absolute monsters ..