Squaredy

Ah no, that is my site!

I would say about half. Just as well I sell the final timber by volume, not weight!

I realised we have a thread all about what we are currently milling, but not one about logs we have managed to get. So I have started one with my delivery today of coastal redwood from the Forest of Dean. Fair play they are great logs - just twelve of them to make up a full lorry load - over 24 tons. No plans yet about milling, but some will be kept at their full 4.8m length and some will be cut in half to a more manageable 2.4m. Most will fit on my woodmizer, but a couple will have to go on the chainsaw mill as they are so wide. I am a big fan of sequoia. Beautiful, durable and strong. I see it as a great alternative to oak for people who fancy a wooden structure but want an easy life when it comes to movement, shrinkage, drying etc. I am trying to find out the planting date. It looks like it was either 1945 or 1957, but yet to be confirmed. And by the way, these are second and third lengths. The first lengths went to carvers apparently. So I guess this whole load was just four trees. That is some serious growth. IMG_1491.MP4

I love following the test matches on the wireless. I took a wrong turn this morning in my van and had to join a half hour queue to get back on the right road….but I didn’t mind too much as Root and Brook kept me entertained.

Doesn't really sound like Discovery to me. Have you photos of the apples?

Ah yes; PTOs are of limited use with trees...

Photos would be helpful. Is it protected by a PTO?

But keep your eyes peeled everyone, as our new government plan to give employees full protection from day1. Yes, day 1. So I guess you could hire someone, they never show up at all, and then they can threaten you will an employment tribunal if you sack them. If anyone doubts how far worker protection could go, remind yourself of the rights dockers had under the Dock Labour Scheme...

Finally got round to milling a large diameter cedar of Lebanon log yesterday. Getting close to the limit of what the mill will cope with at five feet diameter. Most hardwoods at this width would be pointless milling as a single slab, but this cedar stays pretty flat. I just need lots of customers now with large dining rooms…

Also, don't forget, if you were to persuade the council to TPO the tree, this could bite you in the bum, as you would need to get their permission every time you prune it, or if you ever wanted to reduce or remove it. Be careful what you wish for.

You haven't stated how big the apple tree is. I am guessing it is fairly large, in which case I guess you are up against it. No doubt you could fight the insurance company, but this will probably be expensive and stressful, and you may lose. Maybe the best thing is (sadly) to agree to have the tree felled and re-plant a much smaller tree further from the building (with dwarf or semi-dwarf root stock so it will never become large)? It is of course a classic David and Goliath situation, so it depends how much money and energy you are willing to put into a fight. Unfair probably, but you have to be selfish and weigh up the how much you value the tree and how much you value an easy life!

If that was my house I think I’d want to replace those trees with something more appropriate. Unless he likes the idea of having them professionally pollarded every few years of course.

Probably about 18 inches to three feet long.

Standing dead Monkey Puzzle - just about the most difficult timber I have ever milled. Those knots are just so hard, and so numerous. Character in abundance, but anyone who knows what it is like to mill will stay well clear. If it were mine I would turn it into massive turning blanks, and hope that I can eventually find some buyers.

And why are the schools accepting them? When my kids were at this age the school had a simple rule that kids had to be out of nappies. Not complicated.

I think you need to clarify what you mean by small. Do you mean about ten tons that a tractor and timber trailer might deliver, or is a half ton load more your style?

I did work experience when I was 15, and although only a week I think it was an invaluable experience. The sense of belief it gave me was huge. My boys will get to do this at their school in the next few years. I assume most schools still offer it.

Today my fourteen-year old worked for me for the first time. He is not very practical, but at least he was committed. He is a self-confessed geek, so getting out in the world with a broom and a sawdust shovel will do him no end of good. He is already proud that he ‘has a job’. It is a great loss that not so many youngsters get part time work these days. The value of doing something physical in the real world rather than school and screens I think can hardly be overstated. Incredibly, if I had wanted to get him doing this a year ago, I would (in theory at least) have had to get permission from my local authority.

And I always thought the forestry cutters worked long hours…. One tree per day doesn’t sound too stressful!

As snail mail has dropped drastically in volume, surely it makes sense to cut down on deliveries. The universal service obligation that they have to deliver to every property six days a week seems like a colossal waste of money these days. I think they should drop it to Monday, Wednesday and Friday for all types of mail. Would this cause any actual problems as long as we all know? After all, greetings cards can surely be posted a few days earlier - it is not like the date is unexpected! And if something is urgent don’t use the post! Or have I missed something?

Thank you for sharing your story. I hope things continue to improve for you.

I have known a few people that had LPG conversions done - all ended up only using petrol as they kept getting problems with the gas. I even knew one person who had a factory fitted LPG Mercedes sprinter - also running on petrol as the LPG side never worked.

I bought that same mill new in 2016 or so. My experience was better than yours in that I did get the mill to work, and it functioned ok for five or six years, albeit needing almost constant repair. But I agree the assembly was a nightmare, and design and build quality of my mill was very poor. In the end I gave away the mill, working but needing quite a bit of TLC, and bought a Woodmizer instead. What a contrast. For a few hundred pounds more I now have a quality mill, that has given almost no trouble, and with decent support from the agent. Amazingly spare parts are also reasonable, which you certainly couldn’t say for the Norwood. I will never but a Norwood product again.

It is probably unseasoned timber hence the high rate of movement. If it is a continuing supply I am guessing that the species will vary depending on what logs the mill can buy most cheaply. If it is poplar or willow it is not much use for outdoor work. In fact very few european hardwoods are. As it is clearly not chestnut or oak I would assume it is non-durable.

Mmmmm no not beech. Not alder either. Might be poplar or willow. The one on the right seems the wrong colour for poplar. I have never milled willow, but I know what cricket bats usually look like and it looks right to me. Are you going to give us the story? Hopefully there is a nice juicy scandal such as "Bought these teak beams off ebay" or something similar... Are they UK grown?