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ben_inthewoods

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Everything posted by ben_inthewoods

  1. ben_inthewoods
    I have the very thing (knobbly spruce)and are felling some this year for our own listed cottages. Pm me and I might be able help out. Cheers Ben
  2. ben_inthewoods
    Usually when gralloching them . I got one with a 254 and a 1st thin corsican pine in the rack more than a few years ago in Thetford. Must have been the first tree of the morning. Only found out when we pulled the trees out with the hydro tongs. Try a roe call in the rut and fix bayonets
  3. ben_inthewoods
    In your 30yrs experience (i only have 25yrs) have you not noticed the escalation of tree pathogens entering the UK? - perhaps some CDP might be useful (100hrs over 3yrs). With respect to the risks, i haven't written the Plant Health Risk Register it is the authorities who have brought together a panel of experts and have used a well thought out methodology as a result of Chalara have woken up to an acceleration of plant pathogen risks. If you think FSC = safe then i would beg to disagree. It merely tests that you are following the rules. If the rules changed and given the risk register they might ash as untreated or below threshold temp treatment might bring in EAB, which as you say would be a catastrophe. Since Chinese slate crates (was that not Asian Long Horn Beetle?) mass EAB is closer to the UK sea border, therefore the risk changes. I'll dig all I like, it is a discussion forum after all.
  4. ben_inthewoods
    Look at both the Plant Health Risk Register and look at where ash fire wood is coming in from in relation to the movement of EAB from Russia into Europe. Wood borers are more likely to be present in you unprocessed wood. That is such the risk is assessed as being higher for firewood as it is partly processed. If it was not a real risk and was as you say 'ludicrous' ash firewood would not be on the risk register. A few million quid has been chucked at resistance in UK ash. Shame if EAB wiped out the progeny. What I would suggest is ludicrous is importing when a risk is identified and quantified.
  5. ben_inthewoods
    I agree, it was just really a dig. However interesting that there was a lack of any real concern over the implications of EAB coming into the UK, rather trade, trade, trade. Perhaps this attitude demonstrates why proper regulation is needed. I think Renewable John may have hit the nail on the head.
  6. ben_inthewoods
    Not what DEFRA, FC and FERA folk thought at the Plant Health Summit in Westminster on Monday...I didn't see you there, shame you might of learnt about the Plant Health risk register. The initiative of using RHI to improve domestic supply such as log pro was well received by a number of people that were concerned with EAB and ALHB. Have you completed your bio-security statement yet for your website or do you not give a stuff about UK trees and woodlands?
  7. ben_inthewoods
    Coed Cymru demo farm woodland near Welshpool shows how effective it could be, but if course farmers are the custodians of the countryside (my arse!) CAP reform with proper greening measures would have perhaps delivered this, but the chance is lost now for a few years.
  8. ben_inthewoods
    As with the current plant passport scheme which is self certifying a false sense of security is a risky place to be. So I would suggest a robust scheme or no imports.
  9. ben_inthewoods
    Not arguing with that, but is that the temp of all 'kilned' ash? Oh of course it must be, because the system is a self certifying paper trail.....Horseburger for tea?
  10. ben_inthewoods
    paper based self certification - sounds a bit horse meaty then doesn't it? given that kilning logs can be done in bulk bags (in the Logpro kiln) and this is similar to the better kilns in Latvia it would quite interesting to know what temp or moisture content did for all EAB's in a batch of 50m3 logs - has this research been done? i would strongly doubt it. If DEFRA and FC GB are serious about the "very, very radical changes" as Owen Patterson stated at the Plant Health Summit on Monday the precautionary principle needs to be taken now and the research done - the warnings are out there, crying shame if folk were caught with their pants down. cheers Ben
  11. ben_inthewoods
    Moves on importing Ash as firewood...? https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/phiw/riskRegister/viewPestRisks.cfm?cslref=25310 Risk Register launched yesterday.
  12. ben_inthewoods
    Thought that this might be of interest to other Arbtalkers in a number of forums including firewood, landscaping. Plant health risk register.... Plant Pests & Diseases The case study used in the workshops at the seminar used a 'theoretical' outbreak of Asian Longhorn Beetle in Croyden. How would an outbreak team tackle that (2km tree clearance zone in an urban environment) - challenging!!
  13. ben_inthewoods
    I wouldn't bother!! Seriously we had a visit from the HSE last month regarding HAVS (whitefinger) and they do not work reliably enough (you tend to grip harder making HAVS worse). I would work out your vibration exposure levels (brushcutters can be high vibration). remember to look at the vibration level of the brushcutter and then also add the 'k' value (a further safety margin). When wack the vibration level through the HSE vibration spreadsheet. 100pts or below is the target. Trust me you don't want HAVS or the HSE on your back especially now that they are self funding (parasitic).
  14. ben_inthewoods
    +1 for that. We have an 8-30 and it is seriously quick for certain sawn material. They are great. Going back to the Wellingtonia it would be useful to get a description of the timber properties especially of the heartwood. The historical accounts are that Wellingtonia is very brittle and no good for construction (cladding). More recent research suggests that "young" trees (70-80yrs) are not brittle, though it may be a question over the % of non/less durable sapwood. Fancy experimenting with a board or two? cheers Ben
  15. ben_inthewoods
    I would love for there to be a market for mid sized beech more valuable than firewood (taking into account the haulage cost to markets). But ho hum....
  16. ben_inthewoods
    Are the logs Wellingtonia or Coastal Redwood? Interested at the % of sapwood in the logs as i have a few being contract grown for planting as a experiment. I'm think about the cladding market (heartwood required). cheers Ben
  17. ben_inthewoods
    As the recent FC Hogan report " uk trade in wood fuel" identifies there is a low risk from pathogens into UK from pellets, but with firewood logs "intrinsically extremely high risk" given the low temperature kilning of logs and self certification of producers. So to be blunt the UPS of low cost kilning in the UK is to compete with imported logs to reduce the increase in imported logs particularly ash which may be harbouring emerald ash borer (then looking to ALHB or CLHB). I realise that your business model is importing ash logs, but there are other commodities to sell that are a lower risk to the UK`s woodlands and trees. Just have a look at the FC bio-security web pages and perhaps come back with a robust bio-security plan. now the RHI is run by politicians. RHI to Latvia probably would not sit too well - that's my take on it.
  18. ben_inthewoods
    Paying out RHI cash to European firewood producers would be one of the quickest ways to end the scheme. Imagine the daily mail getting hold of that one! The USP for these kinds is to reduce imported with bark firewood.
  19. ben_inthewoods
    Very big specimen in dingwall,highlands. In a council owned wood called paradise wood.
  20. ben_inthewoods
    I insist on urea on the high risk sites as per FC guidance. Poor application can be sorted and a robust standing sales contract and adequate supervision will help. It's root to root contact that is the problem not soil.
  21. ben_inthewoods
    I reckon that is horses for courses, but if you can finish off part seasoned logs to produce real quality logs for not a lot of cost you could compete in quality and price with imported logs. With the help of the RHI priming the pump there is also the possibility of reducing the cost of log production which could lead to sensible log prices that can compete with gas and oil rather than a luxury good. I'd go for it.
  22. ben_inthewoods
    Having just had an HSE inspection this week I would be looking at the vibration levels when linking to purchase particularly if you are an employer. We genuinely thought that we were doing the right thing by choosing saws that kept vibration levels below 100 pts per day. Not good enough! And now we are being charged per hour by the HSE for a visit and letter. I would avoid a non CE marked saw!
  23. ben_inthewoods
    +1 for heated handles. I wouldn't buy a day to day saw without. Much better to relieve and avoid white finger (HAVS) too.
  24. ben_inthewoods
    try and apply the full stump to dripping off. use a cap with holes to apply and another cap without holes when in transit - no blue truck! definitely worth using if you are on a high risk area.
  25. ben_inthewoods
    Is this very high standing price genuinely only for small to mid diameter cord or are there logs of higher value hiding in the stand too? I have a beech stand which has a quantity of £400-500 oak with knackered crowns but good stems. The increase in the price of cord over the last 5 yrs has enabled me to justify thinning some stands, some hi lead extractions! However silly high standing prices are clearly not sustainable especially when you do the £ per kw comparisons with oil and lpg.

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