Working neglected woodland

[Two Acres]

Interesting question. I've got 7 acres and a similar access issue across an arable field. I stack timber throughout the year on the boundary then get it out by trailer when the field is cropped in August.

As for what to cut down, I'd not be in too big a hurry. See it through a season first. The hazel is overgrown and clearly needs coppicing. As you only have a few, then get them all cut and regrowing. Don't be too harsh on leylandii as it is good nesting grounds. I'd be keen to thin out some of the trees and that should satisfy your firewood needs.

I run my wood to increase diversity (had 7 species, now has all 37 natives). So keep some old dead standing wood, plenty of stacks of rotting birch and make a few nest boxes. Sycamore coppices well but is only useful for firewood. Hazel or sweet chestnut is better, so plant some. Birch only coppices when very young.

 

Thanks Woodguy,

 

I have some questions - how do you get the timber to the boundary of the wood? I found it harder work by hand than I'd imagined. I reckon the wood is pretty diverse - my Grandad, who planted it, was in the habit of planting all sorts of seeds that he gathered all around the country. I'm thinking that a tree identification course might help me improve my knowledge of what I have. That said I don't believe I have any sweet chestnut, good idea to plant some. I'd not thought of adding nest boxes, I'll do that, also a good idea. The birch is around thirty years old, so too old to coppice I guess? I should add that I don't have any immediate firewood needs. I'm known as being 'anal' about my firewood stocks by my mates. They love taking the p..s out of my neatly stacked sheds. I have a three year supply cut, split and stacked plus another two years in a woodpile. That means I'm working on year six in terms of firewood supply, so no need to hurry

[Two Acres]

Thanks Wood wasp, sounds like sensible advice to me. Shouldn't your footer read something more like, 'The problem with Thatcherism is that eventually the banks will run out of everybody elses money'

[woodyguy]

Firewood is hard work. I fell then cut to 4 ft lengths. Leave for a few months then cut to log length 12-16inch depending on stove size. Wheelbarrow them to the boundary and stack on a pallet. Much lighter a few months later when throw into trailer. Sounds ideal that you've got firewood sorted for a few years. No hurry then to fell (except the hazel). Great that you've got good diversity all ready.

[Wood wasp]

'Twas Broon the bigot hunter who bailed out the banks although we will recoup money from shares eventually. The mind boggling public debt is something else altogether and without drastic change we (and your kids) will be paying for evermore.

 

Anyway, you shouldn't derail your own thread with politics!

[Wood wasp]

What about a powered barrow to get your wood out?

[Two Acres]

What about a powered barrow to get your wood out?

 

I've never heard of a powerd barrow, what sort of a beast is that?

[woodyguy]

An expensive one

[Wood wasp]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2014-New-Unused-Track-Barrow-350-Mitsubishi-petrol-engine-350kg-12m-warrant-/321632065769?pt=UK_BOI_Industrial_Tools_Construction_Tools_ET&hash=item4ae2c3d8e9

 

You'll get bigger second hand ones for £1,000 to £1,500 odds, great pieces of kit. Can get wheeled ones too but have never worked with one of those.

[Two Acres]

'Twas Broon the bigot hunter who bailed out the banks although we will recoup money from shares eventually. The mind boggling public debt is something else altogether and without drastic change we (and your kids) will be paying for evermore.

 

Anyway, you shouldn't derail your own thread with politics!

 

Wood wasp - I trust you and I can have a little political joust without derailing the thread or annoying the hell ou of each other I'm going to have to remind you that it twas the repeal of the Glass Steagal act in 1999, I believe, that caused the free market excesses of the banks that in turn caused the 2008 crash. Dear old Brown, Prime Minister that he certainly was not, did, at least, understand how to intervene to mitigate the crisis. We should all be very aware of the strategic manouvering of the Tories that seeks to move the debate onto the deficit (which is entirely manageable by the way) and away from the guilty parties in high finance who are the true cause if our current difficulties. Please take this in the good spirit that its intended. Thanks and back to the woods All the best

[Two Acres]

2014 New & Unused Track Barrow 350, Mitsubishi petrol engine, 350kg, 12m warrant | eBay

 

You'll get bigger second hand ones for £1,000 to £1,500 odds, great pieces of kit. Can get wheeled ones too but have never worked with one of those.

That sounds good but its difficult to justify that kind of expense when its going to be used to supply maybe £500 of free firewood per year