Shic

Thanks for all the top advice, Apologies for the late response, but we have had no power for over a week, after a huge storm ripped through here. Can now cook a 3 course meal on a log burner! Got the old tractor already, so that's a head start, and an old barn for storage so a saw-bench and log-splitter to get myself up and running..... Was thinking of selling it in builders bags any thoughts? Also are the wood moisture meters any good? most wood sold here is by farmers who do it as a little sideline. I was thinking a more focused operation could maybe fill a gap in the market Yes Billy Goat did get a lump sum and pension, and am very keen to make it last, especially now the pound has nose dived against the euro!

Thank-you Peter, What kind of wood works well for a coppice system? and whats the best way of getting it going? Shicksall

Thanks for the replies, I think my plan was going along the lines of start very slow ie me chainsaw and tractor selling to people we have met, see how it develops and if there is a market, and if it is going ok then look at buying wood in. Had not thought yet about a processor are they expensive? We have a huge wooden barn on site that was originally used for drying sheets of tobacco, so it fits the bill for drying logs perfectly. If we try to use what we have to start and see how it goes from there. Thanks again for the advice so far, please keep it coming !

France close to the pyrenees, no not realy thought about pigs..

Gents. I would be very grateful for any advice. I have recently moved abroad and have just done renovating our house and am now looking around for a way to earn a living. We have about 12 acres of land with lots of hedging, including around 30 huge ash trees. I would love to make a living from selling the wood for firewood. Unfortunately 25 years in the military has not given me all the skills or knowledge I require.... I have a small tractor and a chainsaw and have used them both extensively over the past year. Some basic questions I have are... What equipment is it worth investing in? What courses are worth going on? What is the best way of managing the land and trees we have ie planting etc The market here seems good everyone we know has a woodburner and people have expressed an interest when we have tested the water We would need to make around £8000 per year is this feasible with our land ? I would be very grateful for any advice you think would be helpful Cheers in Advance