john k

Cover them up with cardboard and a couple of inches of compost. As near to instant as you can get!

But given that you'd need around 30 amps at 12v you're not likely to get anything much smaller. I've got one of these compressors and am quite tempted to see if I can get a small receiver and pressure switch to go with it.

Very tidy. Looks like you're better with a kindling machine than a computer then!

There are a load of reasons why ash trees look unwell, but that first one in particular does look like dieback. Given that they are in Kent it's pretty much a dead cert I'm afraid.

Following up quotes is basic good business practice. You don't have to do it, but like Mick says, if they have two or three quotes and are faffing about making a decision then helping them choose you will win work.

On the other hand, not following up quotes makes it look like you're not interested in the work. There's no reason why a quick phone call or email should seem desperate. You've got someone who you know has potential business for you, and you've started to build a relationship with them. Why throw that away by not asking for the work?

The best heavy duty shelving that I've found is pallet racking. There's usually loads on EBay.

Donnk, whereabouts are you? What's the soil type where you're planning on planting?

What is the age and composition of the woodland? In an established woodland the canopy should keep most of the brambles and nettles at bay. If you go for aggressive understorey clearance then you will also take out any tree seedlings that may be present. I would be more inclined to look at putting the effort into improving the access with some paths and rides, possibly opening up a glade or two. This will improve the amenity value whilst benefitting biodiversity and having a more reasonable maintenance requirement.

When I discovered how difficult it is to leave anything other than positive feedback for Checkatrade companies I realised that it's all a bit of a scam. It's nothing to do with quality, it's all about money. I actually avoid Checkatrade registered companies now and rely on genuine recommendations.

I looked at getting a 12v compressor a while back and found some by Viair that looked pretty good http://www.mattsavage.co.uk/acatalog/onboard_kits.html They're not cheap and to be honest you'd probably be better off spending the money on a better generator. I managed to get a mains supply in the end so didn't need one.

I used to do that when I hadn't had much practise at sharpening, but now I can sharpen my saw freehand in less time than it takes to change the chain. Better than dicking around sharpening chains on your day off!

Is there a rear handle version of the little Echo?

Will there still be a standalone app, or are you planning to just rely on the responsive design for mobile users?

You do have to tell them. The insurance companies share a lot of information these days and when they find out that you haven't declared something they can get very snotty. An accident in an employer's vehicle won't affect your no claims discount but probably will increase your premium.

I ditched a paper diary for Google calendars several years ago and can't really imaging going back. There are various apps that are compatible, and I use one called Saisuke on my iPhone because it has a good week view. There have been occasional minor glitches with synchronising between devices but on the whole it works really well.

Of course! Don't want to look like a builder

Working in the woods is one of the few places where I think that hi viz is actually useful.

I've been using Clarks Supertack for a while with no major problems, and haven't noticed any increased wear. It does dry out though unlike mineral oil, so if you have a saw that doesn't get used for a few weeks you'll probably find the chain is glued to the bar. It frees off very easily though (take bar and chain off, give the chain a wiggle, refit, run the saw for a few seconds, re-tighten chain) so isn't a big deal. For saws that are used daily or even weekly this won't be necessary anyway.

Seems to be back working now...

It's broken on my phone running iOS 8.3. Was there an update to the app today?

Yes, it's excellent and lasts very well. Anything less than 3" will normally have too much sapwood, but anything over that will be fine. Over 4" and you can cleave (split) them and get two or more stakes out of each length.

How did they manage to charge too much? The prices they quote are automatically calculated based on the information you enter on the web site...

If you've got regulars you want to look after, how about contacting them when it looks like you might be going to run out and giving them first refusal?

Give some thought to the amount that you could take out each year, and work out what it might be worth. In forestry the amount of growth that trees put on is referred to as the Yield Class which gives a figure in cubic metres per hectare. This varies between species and from site to site, but for the sake of some back of an envelope calculations you could assume something like YC10 for your conifers and YC5 for your hardwood. Your 40 acres is approximately 16 hectares, so 6ha conifer at yield class 10 ~ 60 cubic metres per year 10ha broadleaf at yield class 5 ~ 50 cubic metres per year So you've got ongoing potential for an average of around 100 tonnes a year - that's only five artic loads. Is there an approved management plan in place, or standalone felling licences? Depending on whether you are thinning, or clearfelling stands the actual amount each year is likely to vary enormously, as will its value. Clearfelling should generate short term income, but you'll need to allow for restocking costs and that area won't be productive again for decades. Thinning a stand of oak could give you some relatively high value saw logs for instance, but you're unlikely to be doing that very often, whereas you may thin conifers more frequently but at lower value. If you wanted to get into it in a bigger way then 40 acres would give you a good core of work to start a small scale contracting business, working your own woodlands but maximising the return on any machinery investment by working on other woods too. You could look at ways of adding value too by producing firewood, charcoal and other forest products, or by milling, but don't underestimate the amount of effort that goes into producing these products, and just as importantly marketing them.