john k

I have a newish saw which I last used about 10 weeks ago and I've got half a combi can of fuel left. I've had 2 stroke bikes and outboards for years and would only consider fuel to be "old" after about six months, however I've seen people here suggesting that chainsaw mix is past it after as little as four weeks. So do I bin it or use it?

I haven't used chains on a van but I've used them on the car a few times over the last couple of winters. I don't really need them but they're good to have and only cost about £50. Round here the minor roads don't get touched but the main roads get cleared pretty quickly, so there's quite a bit of running on tarmac hunting the snowiest bits. It's not ideal but the chains are definitely worth having if you want to keep mobile. I've got winter tyres this year so hopefully will just be keeping the chains as a last resort.

Has anyone tried using small stuff like this in a 5ft or 6ft kiln? Looks to me like it could make loading up very quick, as well as being a good way of converting otherwise useless material. But what would the result be like? I guess it would be more biochar than charcoal.

I've got all three and the flask gets most use by far. The Jetboil is very cool but I only really use it when a flask isn't practical. The Kelly kettle is great for picnics or lunch breaks in the woods.

The way I read it is that MikeM is happy to offer them a roadside price per tonne but needs help estimating whether he's committing to buying ten tonnes or 100 tonnes. Seems reasonable to me. If we're only talking 60ish pieces then it should be an easy enough job to count them and measure a few to get a reasonably accurate ballpark figure. I would expect the vendor to do this, but it could be worth an hour or two as a relationship building exercise. If it's too much trouble for everyone why not offer a price per tonne with a maximum of n tonnes so you know you're not going to overcommit?

Interesting, thanks. Looks like most people have gone bigger than that, but small can obviously be good. Any idea how much you can extract in a day with the quad and trailer? What's it like on slopes (particularly downhill with a load on!)? What sort of trailer do you transport it on? Presumably you get the quad and timber trailer onto one road trailer? If money was no object would you have something a bit bigger? Compact tractor? Alpine? Sorry for the barrage of questions!

I'm doing it part time. Full time is 3 days a week (and that can go down to 2 if you've got all your tickets), so you can work at the same time but don't underestimate how much time you'll need for work on assignments. Part time is normally 1 or 2 days a week over four years, but it's flexible and you can take anything between 3 and 6 years to complete the course. We've got our first proper tree ID test tomorrow - the first piece of work that actually counts. In four weeks we've learned almost 50 broadleaf trees (proper names and key ID features, plus a bit of soil preference and timber utilisation). We start on conifers tomorrow as soon as the test is over.

Neither. It creates a Buttered Feline Antigravity Drive!

Mmmm. Do you have any pictures?

What are the best solutions that people have found for small scale timber extraction? Mini-forwarders and alpine tractors are obviously at the premium end of the market, and horse logging is great in some situations, but what about something more run of the mill for sites that don't justify a full size tractor and timber trailer? Are quads really suitable, or more of a plaything? How about a 4x4, like a Defender maybe with diff locks? Conventional compact tractor? I was talking to someone who had been using a converted dumper truck that sounded quite handy, anyone else tried that?

I'm using Kumho KL71s. They're a good compromise with decent off road performance and are surprisingly civilised on road. They're not the toughest tyre and do seem to cut up a bit if driven enthusiastically on tarmac, but that not really what they are designed for.

As I've got my folder in front of me, here's a bit more detail about what the course covers: Year 1 Research methods Dendrology Soil science Botany Ecology Tree establishment Mensuration and vegetation surveys Forestry & arboricultural practice Practical includes CS30/31/38 for everyone (and 39 for arbs but not foresters who cover felling in more depth). NPTC asessments are not included in the course fee. If you already have the tickets you can skip the first practical module. Everyone also does a day of familiarisation on each of: chipper, MEWP, hand winches, sawmill. Year 2 Tree biology Silviculture Tree pests & diseases Woodland ecology and conservation Woodland management Sustainable forestry Tree law and health & safety management plus two of the following optional modules: Urban forestry Current issues in forestry/arboriculture Timber utilisation Statistics Taxonomy and arboretum design Arboricultural planning Career development National vegetation classification Geographic information systems There's a work placement in year 2 as well. We've got a very wide range of starting levels in the group, from never having really looked at a tree to experienced climbers with several years work under their belt wanting to get more depth of knowledge. It's early days, but I'm really enjoying it so far.

I've just started on it, and it's looking good so far. I met a couple of lads who finished last year who were really pleased with it too. If you get in touch with the college they'll send you a course programme that has details of all the modules in it.

I've used Speedshift a few times. They were very competitive and did a good job.

I've just been reading Stupsi. It's a surprisingly good book!

I don't know anyone round your way, sorry. You can download the NPTC assessment schedules though which would give you a head start: http://www.nptc.org.uk/assessment-schedules/

You don't actually have to get any training. If you wanted you could just book an assessment and make sure you're familiar with the assessment schedule (the list of specific things they want you to know and/or demonstrate). That's probably a bit of a high risk strategy, but rather than go for the whole training course you could book a day or two of one-to-one assessment preparation with a trainer which might be a better option.

Hmm. Are those figures for a solid cubic metre of wood, a cubic metre of stacked cord, or a cubic metre of logs as normally delivered?

The Switcheasy Capsule Rebel is the best that I've found. It's not Otter Box rugged, but gives a surprising amount of protection without adding too much bulk. It comes with screen protectors thrown in as well which is a bonus.

Good to meet you Mr Dodger I thought that last year's show was a bit thin, but it really felt like it was back on form this time. Managed not to buy too much shiny stuff, but could easily have spent a fortune!

I've got an Alpkit sleeping bag and I'm really pleased with it. It's extra long so for the first time ever I've got a bag that fits properly! They are down though, so you'd need to be careful to keep it dry.

I don't think there's any public camping - I haven't seen any mention of it anyway. Not sure what the arrangements are for exhibitors and friends though.

Tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday

I'll be there tomorrow to have a look round and meet up with a few people. I've been going for about ten years now. It's what really got me interested in trees in the first place and is always a good day out.

From their web site I'd guess this is him: Simon Rotheram – Director, Beechwood Trees and Landscapes Ltd [email protected]