12 Spruce trees down last night. What to do with them?

[7610]

We lost another load of trees in last nights storms. 30-40 year old spruce. A small amount really and in the past we've hired in an extractor with large amounts to deal with. I don't want to just turn them into firewood. Any suggestions? Devon based.

[Haironyourchest]

Stack them for the time being. Get creative with rollers and tirfors and get them into lengths and off the ground. If you have the time and patience I would bark them as well.

[matelot]

How many acres do you have? once the windblow gets to them you'll lose more and more... it might be best to fell the lot if they are saw log size.

 

I believe the science behind it is that the exterior trees in a softwood forest are exposed to the winds, this means their roots are relatively well developed. The interior trees don't get any wind, this means their roots are weak.

 

Once the exterior trees are removed the interior trees go down like a set of dominoes.

[Darkslider]

How many acres do you have? once the windblow gets to them you'll lose more and more... it might be best to fell the lot if they are saw log size.

 

I believe the science behind it is that the exterior trees in a softwood forest are exposed to the winds, this means their roots are relatively well developed. The interior trees don't get any wind, this means their roots are weak.

 

Once the exterior trees are removed the interior trees go down like a set of dominoes.

 

Could this not be countered by thinning/topping the outer row or several rows of now exposed trees to 'share' the exposure to wind with the ones behind?

[7610]

They are on the edge of larch clear fell. They've been OK for nearly three years, it was the unusual NWer that got them. Trouble is its just shy of an full load so commercially I can't do a lot with them. I was thinking of having them milled on site but don't know the value of the planks yet. Any input appreciated.

[matelot]

Could this not be countered by thinning/topping the outer row or several rows of now exposed trees to 'share' the exposure to wind with the ones behind?

 

I think the problem would be that if the outer "topped" trees were blown over the trees in the centre would still be exposed to the wind.

 

If I was planting a plantation I'd consider having a perimeter of hardwoods that would act as a windbreak.

[matelot]

They are on the edge of larch clear fell. They've been OK for nearly three years, it was the unusual NWer that got them. Trouble is its just shy of an full load so commercially I can't do a lot with them. I was thinking of having them milled on site but don't know the value of the planks yet. Any input appreciated.

 

It depends... do you need cut timber yourself? or perhaps a very close neighbour does? At the moment there is too much felled timber and not enough buyers...

 

A tree can stay windblown for circa two years before it becomes unsuitable for planks. If I was you I'd wait for timber prices to rise then try and sell your near wagon full.

 

I personally don't see you getting much more than firewood money in the meantime...

[7610]

Firewood it is then. Shame really tall straight trees.

[luftwaffe]

How is 12 30-40 trees meant to make up a lorry load? The trees will need to be over two tonne each to make a lorry load , i doubt they would be two tonne at that age,

[7610]

Because 12 trees falling in a plantation don't just fall happily on the ground. It will mean at least another 5-10 come out too. Also I would say they weigh at least that. But thanks for the input.