StephF
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Everything posted by StephF
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what does a firewood sale cost you in timber?
StephF replied to farmer_ben's topic in Firewood forum
We supply logs in NE as well, prices have fluctuated a lot in last few years! this is a very lively thread, I think we are all hoping our figures are ok at this time of year and we are actually making some money for all the hard work that has been put in! -
Its very grey, dismal, damp and cold here in Kielder, 2 out doing tree work, 2 of us doing logs (me!), hoping it brightens up a bit later...
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Agree, with all above, did the course last November, great fun!
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Gaiters are great in conditions where it is very wet underfoot and too hot for waterproofs, keep you drier(?) and cleaner, have bought cheap/ expensive ones, they are all better than nothing if you are cutting all day on wet ground. I cant stand chainsaw wellies as they get suctioned off your feet in deep bogs! I prefer to wear laced up chainsaw boots as they stay on/ easier to walk in on uneven and steep terrain (Kielder!) never had any problems with my gaiters coming off etc.
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15" bar is excellent for groundwork and felling quite sizeable trees, did a CS34 recently, and 15" bars are used and adequate for most medium/ large trees, and definately small ones up to 15" covered in CS310/31. It is easier to get level / acurate felling cuts with a smaller bar and snedding is MUCH easier! Huskys 365 or Sthills 261 are all we would use on ground.
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It looks like it to me. Fell it..
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Wild and wet all day.
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Phone started to ring again this morning, made an executive decision to start logs on 6th... its still Christmas in my house!
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I did Cs 38 at 48, fitness was important! I've met climbers in their 30's who think they are past it, and some in 50's who still enjoy climbing.
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Very icy, not fun with loaded truck and trailer today on steep banks,
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Please explain "sourced from Sustainable Woodland"
StephF replied to cessna's topic in Firewood forum
We buy timber for firewood from Kielder Forest, which is 'sustainably managed', the land is planted with trees, grown and harvested, then re-planted, its just a big tree farm, a timber crop. Wildlife and public benefit from the forest, and timber is provided for building, paper and bio mass, though with the development of the biomass industry, I dont think there has been anything like enough forest planted in past years to supply demands for present UK needs. -
3rd It, visited this summer, (not working) and got some of my best tree photos, it is a stunning location..
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Working from home base makes life so much easier running a business, everthing is more flexable, and there is enough travelling without a journey to and from a yard at the end of a long day. Security has always been a big issue, and I feel happier knowing we are 'on the premises'. We were totally cleaned out once in another part of UK, it happened when we were on holiday. Now we always make sure someone is around if we are away, use CCTV, and dont advertise our holiday dates on phone messages/FB etc.
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Client said cornus mas! I think not
StephF replied to Arborowen's topic in Tree Identification pictures
I think so, based on the flowers? -
Very worried customer on phone: 'I checked your logs, they are 14% moisture content, are you sure these are safe to burn?' she had been told somewhere her firewood had to be less than than 11% to burn safely on a woodburner. I advised her if she got some kiln dried logs straight out of a kiln and kept them in her airing cupboard they would stay nice and dry if thats what she wanted.
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Just bought Aviva commercial truck insurance, got the price from down from over £1000 (swinton) to £181!!! second vehicle was even cheaper, both are fully comp and insured NCB. But only designated drivers.
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Agree stongly with turning circle point! we have never owned anything but single cab L200's (apart from transits in past), but I think if we worked more often in places where your kit was likely to get stolen, I'd consider a double cab more secure. Its a drag not been able to leave things unnatended because all the kit is in the back of pick up, but you get loads more logs/chip etc in the back as a plus.
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Not a lot, but if its what your business does, then it provides an income, just have to do it the best you can. Dont know if I'd want to start from scratch though now...
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Thanks Jon, I have got a heart! and found it impossible to say no to everyone in past few weeks.
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Looks like it:001_rolleyes: but not any more!! I am having to cope with a few grumpy customers, but I have offered to do it if paid, suprising only 1 so far has said yes... I can blame it on my Dad, as he would never charge to stack, and it has just been the way we have always done things ever since, even though he is not with us any more!
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Turning a lot of orders away over 20 miles, Is'nt anyone in the Wylam/Newcastle area selling seasoned dry firewood? I'm sticking to our 20 mile radius this year for 1st time, there is enough local business. Tipping trailer is speeding things up, plus charging to stack (for 1st time in my life) has increased output, most people wont pay a few extra pounds, so I am tipping more loads off.( I'd still stack for any frail elderly or sick people.)
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Just discovered thread, inspiring photos, took this one on a day off recently.
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We have found most processors hate cutting small logs, I think it is a waste of good timber too, more cuttin means it ends up as sawdust. So should be a more expensive product. All our logs are around 8-10", seem to fit most stoves, even smaller ones, and have not had any complaints, we cut longer lengths to order off covered dry stacks 15-18 ". 6" logs are for wendy houses and I cant be bothered with them...
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Bright sun and blue sky, very cold, was a perfect day in Kielder for CS32 I am doing, having soo much fun and it is a beautful site!, being able to take my time instead of 'normal working speed', hoping it stays ok, assessment Monday..
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I dont stay dry working in a harke smock, wet arms, not sure if it because you get so hot, only found it comfortablea few times in extreme cold IE: -15! trousers were unbearable, only worn once!!
