Dean O

I've put some yew logs to one side to mill - but it turns out I don't think I have enough to make the design I have in mind (a coffee table). the end grain of the top of the legs (as well as the legs themselves will be visible) as part of the design. I would like a contrasting timber. I have some ash or some oak which could supply me with what I need what timber would you use/ have you used any pics? thanks Dean

Thanks for posting Bob

they look smart where from?

Hi CGS yes that was me in the landy parked outside as couldn't get in the site when I got there. when I got back home they had sent me another map changing the spec..... buggers loads of lifts and prunes involved which will be very time consuming (and I think they are hoping someone wont notice that they are listed in the preliminary report), then some big dismantles and some big fells. they also want all stumps removed...... but dug out not ground, argh

They want to start yesterday but if we win the tender we wont be able to start until the new year. The timber will then probably need moving the day before its all down on the ground. likely end of Jan by the time everything gets going Thanks Dean

hi guys - number 07533 418103

sorry I should add its in a country estate type setting - wouldn't be a problem making a mess as it will become a building plot - but Im not sure a lorry will get to some of it easily without getting stuck. tractor and trailer with crane shuttling backwards and forwards to a holding area (there's a large hard standing there) would be the ideal solution with the volume being picked up by a suitable lorry as the trees being removed are in clusters dotted around the site. I wouldn't hazard a guess at the tonnage here but to emphasise - much of the beech and even the oak are mature large trees with the pine and wellies approaching 100ft plus thanks Dean

Is there anyone out there capable of collecting large volumes of timber in this area. timber would be free to collector. tractor, trailer crane, lorry etc needed as it will need to be removed quickly once down. a range of timbers: syc, ash, pine, lime, beech, wellingtonia, oak, horse chestnut some mill-able but I'm struggling to find any takers. there will also be a huge volume of woodchip if this is of interest to anyone. thanks Dean

Popped to see a site today where a number of large trees (and lots of small trees) will be removed. species is mixed - large stuff being - Ash, oak, wellingtonia, pine, lime. with the smaller trees being sycamore for example. Its to far for it to be worth while me hauling it back home. is there anyone in the Llantrisant/ Talbot green area who could collect from site and make use of it in one way or the other. tractor with crane/loader and trailer or lorry would be ideal as a lorry/crane combo may not get close enough to some pieces you would need to be self reliant and come in and collect all. Thanks Dean

sorry I should say - I haven't done the PTI so could be talking nonsense - but would the overall condition/ vitality of the tree and likely life expectancy not also contribute to the final recommendation where targets/lack of would allow a reduction in height to retain? is there any other structural issues in the canopy - tight forks old pruning wounds. is the decayed hollow and the gano on the opposite side a result of coalescence?

what are the targets?

CIS deductions are a pain in the bum. split should be for labour and materials. I very rarely supply any materials as our work is arb - so I just respond as 'all labour' and handover our CIS number. quite often I doubt that we are truly part of the 'construction' of a site but just go with the flow - its nice when its finally reclaimed any you don't have a large PAYE bill.

if I was in your shoes I would probably focus on the stumps - your best return would be from advertising to contractors, tree surgeons, fencers, landscapers etc. advertising to the wider public will only have good return where 1 - they have a stump 2 - want to have it removed, and 3 - want you to remove it the trouble is tho' if the contractors passing you work thought that your success would result in you 'growing' into their area of work - why wouldn't they simply get a stumpgrinder and grow into yours? (which is why I'd stay focused on the stumps)

ring up your regulars and ask if they are planning on buying a load this season some will say no some will say yes but not now - so you know to save a little (could still be a gamble) some will say yes and they may order while your on the phone - you can then pick a slot to deliver at your leisure rather than squeezing it in to please them when they have called you on Christmas eve. theres no harm in chasing them - just let them know the purpose of the call is to look after them just in case you run out. we used to do firewood as a relatively small side line but I always struggled to get the time t deliver in the winter months due to work load so would stack and store lengths then process in one go in april/may straight into vehicles and off to customers who wanted it, with a slight discount for bulk orders. found that those that ordered would use a bit throughout the year and still need topping up in the winter, but I could concentrate on new custom, having the availability of logs, and as someone else mentioned - spreading the surge of demand. those new customers could then go on the early list for next year.

I'm sure you've already considered it - but would you not be better off investing in kit to transport large heavy beams to your base for converting on the static mill your setting up there? hi-ab lorry could be an inexpensive option, or loader tractor and trailer might be more costly but give other options too? although it still means taking stuff backwards and forwards could it be a stepping stone/ stop gap while your looking for a suitable portable mill?

Ive used boningale for shrubs for planting schemes - always been able to get what I needed. haven't used for trees tho' - would still recommend

I agree completely.... unfortunately its difficult finding good trainers, and there is so many around simply allowing boxes to be ticked. I feel this might be more prevalent where training and assessment is integrated.

this sounds very frustrating... surely the first port of call would be the trainer though?

thanks guys, will do

no immediate rush Ed I might come across a bit as I go along my merry way but probably not enough. there's a lot available on t'internet, but no chestnut coppice locally that I know of. I guess I could do with some nice straight oak thinning's to keep it local

We are occasionally being sent towards Brecon and Crickhowell for a client - not wanting to drag everything back with us any body out there have use for chip and logs in that neck of the woods? only relatively small amounts of couple of cubic metres at a time. many thanks Dean 07533418103

Dartmoor HL - thanks for the offer sounds ideal - if only you were closer, haulage on a part load would bound to kill it. Rust cutter - thanks, I think it may have been Oak cleaves - a guy called mike sideway - I've been in touch but he cant help at the moment.

Thanks Steve chestnut would be OK - but I've never come across any worked chestnut coppice in this neck of the woods - though it might be about. I'd like to source local if poss but I'm anticipating having to go further afield for it. the length of fencing might end up being 90 metres of 3 rail, 3 metre bays should be plenty of larch about this area - but not really what I was after any one used?

is any one producing cleft oak for fencing, posts and rails in south wales thanks Dean

oh and yes - sorry I did mean 112 not 912