Robbyrasta

I am trying a number of methods to control rhododendron. smaller bushes we cut with a clearing saw, leaving long stumps, to allow quick and plentiful regrowth. Then spray 1 to 2 years later. the larger patches we rip apart with 2.7 ton machine and grapple. Then spray the regrowth 1 to 2 years later. we build piles in the wood, then return a year later and mash it up with the grapple and spread it around a bit. And have just started processing the bigger stuff to sell on a camp site. on clear fell sites we would mulch - but then struggle to spray the regrowth in and around the newly planted trees. So might try leaving it fallow for a few years- to give time to control the rhododendron- but then brambles and bracken get a foot hold and cause issues. I justify spraying by saying to myself rhododendron apparently poisons the soil and blocks out all other plants and is fairly unless for biodiversity- so you either have rhododendron or a few years of glyphosate issues ( if there are any) and then the soil and woodland can return to a better state. ( just for reference I probably have 200arces of rhododendrons to control, so probably fighting a losing battle)

Awesome shots. I feel this has been the year of the butterfly- I’ve seen loads. And unfortunately hardly any bees

Times are a bit odd- but could it be milking parlour- vacuum pump

Flail and collector would work- just need to remove the arising from the site. any flail/collector operators in the Dorset area?

Does anybody know of a bio baler contractor in the south? Or simply- bio balers- discuss? I have a small area of solid gorse to remove- ideally the cuttings need to be taken off site- so I thought maybe a bio baler would be an option.

Quality reporting

Failed a while ago it would seem

Not my photos, but taken on my farm, by friend doing a bird survey for me.

Some moths/butterflies never sit still- others like showing off infront of a camera

Have you seen missing teenager Oliver? | Surrey Police WWW.SURREY.POLICE.UK We are renewing our appeal to find missing 17-year-old Oliver, who was last seen leaving his home in... It’s hoped that’s he in woodlands, so please keep your eyes open. thanks Rob

Found this on the back of some clover-

What’s a soil rip? I am guessing subsoiling? both plots are surrounded by hard wood planting, so no lack of biodiversity.

Douglas would be the preferred tree, but Both these plots won’t keep it standing. About a foot of soil then solid white clay below. Could be said that nothing quick growing will stand up. western red cedar is another suggestion.

Why’s it rubbish? looking for saw log trees the end and sometimg that is suited to the climate in the future.

Hmm iof that I am not sure- somebody just suggested it, says it’s grown in France a fair bit. looking at pictures, I think I had robinia in my head as they were in the garden.

Has anyone got any experience or knowledge of growing acacia in the Uk? Two plots, one of failed larch, wind blow and another plot of failed Douglas, again wind blow. Looking for something a bit different. Sitka,Scots or Corsican would be alternatives.

No many old solo climbers around, all it takes is a rock to fail- or an insect to fly out of a hold- having said that - Alex is awesome at what he does, and seems a really down to earth solid type of guy.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-46979066 i don’t want to comment on the story- but somebody please reassure me that his photo has been really badly photo shopped

Ran well when last used- (30 years ago when it was parked here)

Perrie Hale Nursery in honiton, have always supplied our trees with no complaints from us.

Deer also scream- very high and very loud, not sure which breed or sex does it.

There was a video floating around a while back, of some ?? guy setting up a system for pulling using a pole at right angles to the direction of pull, and some how by moving it over and back again it wound its self on to the pole or maybe even on to a second pole. no idea if it was any good or suitable for this circumstance. But might be worth a google search. (Poles were about 6foot long I think) edit- this is it- different video but same idea https://survivalsherpa.wordpress.com/2016/06/27/off-grid-winch-incredible-power-from-two-logs-and-a-rope/