Working neglected woodland

[agg221]

Regarding your intentions, the following might help (if I've got the figures right!):

 

Firewood: once back in regular management, you will roughly get 1 cord (3.6cu.m) per acre per year, so you will be able to harvest about 2 cords (7.2cu.m) per year from your 2 acres (assuming it's all coppice - reduce accordingly if it's not).

1cu.m of cordwood converts to about 4 builders' bags, so that gives you a yield of between 25 and 30 builders' bags, so that should keep you going.

 

To start with, since it has been neglected, yields will probably be higher than this on a one-off basis. I would look to fell the leylandii, coppice the hazel and remove the blackthorn, and infill spaces with hazel. You are better off working in blocks, rather than doing the odd tree here and there. You also want to consider the density of planting of the standards - if they are too close together then they won't thrive and you definitely won't get the coppice to work underneath, so some of these may also be best removed. Generally, leave the ones with the long, straight trunks, although there is an element of species selection too - birch is generally short lived (~80yrs) whereas oak and beech should be 120+ years old before considering harvesting, and will go on a lot longer than that. If the larger trees have been crowded and need thinning, consider whether they are large enough to justify milling - anything 18" diameter and up is worth a go for your own use, making sheds etc. Anything 2' and up may be saleable if you feel so inclined (although if you can use it yourself it will save you a lot). If you do sell some, don't expect a fortune but it could be used to offset the cost of kit - effectively making it a cost-neutral hobby, rather than an income in its own right.

 

Alec

[Dorset Treeman]

I bought ten acres about three years ago snd agin the woodland had not been managed. I had a management plan drawn up and am now slowly wirking through the wood. I wish I had someone to advise me fom time to time. Most of the scruub has been cleared now but there is still loads to do. Bought the wood for something to do in my retirement and also for my Grandsons to run wild.

 

 

Where are you country boy?

[Countryboy]

I am near Tring in Hertfordshire

[Two Acres]

Countryboy - thanks for the reply. Do you mind me asking what kind of cost was involved in putting together the management plan?

 

Alec - thanks for taking the time to write that advice down, much appreciated. I've been taking another look this afternoon to weigh up what I've got. Its not all coppice. Theres 50 plus Leylandii in two rows, about ten inch diameter on average I guess. Then 40 plus poplar, the biggest of which me and my daughter can just touch fingertips when wrapping our arms around it from opposite sides (I'm 6 feet tall, shes 6 years old). Then theres two groups of ash, maybe 25 trees in total, around 12 inch diameter at a guess. A group of about ten beech, again maybe 12 inch diameter, perhaps bigger. Plenty of young oaks around 8 inch maybe. A good few Birch maybe 12 inch diameter. Some dead standing Elm, (one big one), Some wild cherry and also some very tall thin Sycamores that are trying to outcompete the Leylandi for light. Also some randoms, the odd field maple etc. I reckon there are maybe 25 coppiced hazel of various sizes. Lots of scrubby blackthorn plus some thick tree type ones. Ideally I'd make it a hobby that pays for itself and keeps my house warm for free into the bargain!

[sandspider]

Sounds great! Pictures please?

[Two Acres]

You'll have to give me a little time on that one Sandspider - I'll take some pics when i next go

[sandspider]

Sure chap, no hurry!

 

If you could see your way to moving the wood close to Bristol, I'd be happy to come and help out?!

[cornish wood burner]

If any of the blackthorn is big enough it makes good firewood, just watch the spikes.

[hiluxstihl]

How do you plan to extract? ive a 5 acre plantation of 30 yo pine to thin. peat ground and access through field with only gravel track to gate. There is too little timber to justify a forwarder, a quad wouldnt be cost effective (too many light turns, churning up the place) thinking track dumper...

[Little Butch]

Something I'd love to be able to do. Maybe in time

I'm only in suffolk, would be more than happy to give you a hand if you needed it...