sandspider

Be interested to hear. I idly assume stalk up is better as that's how they hang on the tree? But no idea if that's actually true!

I store mine stalk up in a cool place. Never tried stalk down, having said that. Key is that they don't touch each other, and you chuck out any mouldy ones sharpish. Some of them at least will last until the new year. Only store really good ones, don't bother with any even slightly bruised / battered ones... In theory you can store them touching wrapped in newspaper, but I've never had time to wrap, and don't know how you'd then check them.

@Squaredy Is this something you can do? Cheers.

Hi folks As above. Just wondering if anyone mills sleepers near Chepstow, or knows a good source? I'd like larch for weight, decent longevity and hopefully lower price, but would consider other options. Not really after anything treated as I want it to last and not leach nasties into our herb patch. I need maybe 8 of 10 x 20 x 240cm. But could live with more shorter sleepers... What have you got?! Cheers.

I'm in a similar situation, though only about 2 acres in total. I ended up with an ancient Yanmar YM1600 tractor and a topper - does a good job keeping the paddock under control and will cut most things (long grass, scrub, bracken higher than the tractor) if you don't try to go too fast. It doesn't leave a neat, lawn like finish though. (Might do if I cut more regularly, but probably not even then). I have a Honda petrol mower to cut and collect the lawn. Tractor also carries things, tows things, harrows things... (Harrowing helps keep grass healthy). And it could do more - log splitters, little digger attachments etc. The only issues with the tractor are that it's quite brutal, tricky to maneouvre in confined spaces and is a bit hairy on steep slopes, which I have lots of. The front wheels came off the ground once as I was carrying a load of logs up a narrow slope, and I had to eject - that was scary, and I was lucky. I now unlatch the rear wheel breaks and use them to steer in this situation. If you get a tractor I'd suggest a more modern one with roll cage.

I burn a reasonable amount of euc that I grow and coppice myself. I leave it lying sometimes for 3 months or more after felling and don't find it hard to split with an axe. Though I don't tend to let it get much bigger than 25cm dia or so before I coppice it. I also find it seasons quickly in a polytunnel, once split. The bark is thick & quite watertight, though.

Whereabouts in the world are you, woodlandgirl?

Horse chestnut or sweet chestnut? Either way, if you save it up then list it in car boot sized loads free on gumtree or Facebook I should think people would collect it. They certainly would down here, may be a bit different in London?

Thank you. Not worth the time for me I fear. Maybe I need a pickup or van!

Would a ton bundle fit in the boot of an estate car? And is it all barky, or is there a reasonable amount of solid wood? Would it be lots of conifer, or mixed all sorts? Thanks

Could do with some serious rain here Seems a shame to say it, but my trees need water

I thought juglones were secreted by the leaves / nuts / buds, not the roots? I've got a walnut tree I planted, now about 2m high, and lots of other plants are still growing around it...

How long did you dry them out for?

I find 2 stroke mix tastes horrible, but I've only ever put the petrol in first. Will try oil first and report back.

I use Makita 2t oil, which i doubt is as good... (But none of my kit is top end) I treat all the petrol I buy, then it's good as pure petrol for the mower & wheeled strimmer, and when I add 2t oil it's good for the 2 stroke kit too.