spandit

I've started removing the guards and stakes from some of my trees - they're full of green slime and slugs. Hoping the wind and rain will dry them off a bit but already have a huge pile of scrap tubes

Had to have some limbs down on a large yew in our garden as they'd cracked. Some of the logs look like this, wondered if there was a reason why?:

They're still pretty solid and if you lived with your mother-in-law you'd understand why spending hours in the woodland is a more valuable use of time

I can snap them off but this way means I have a stock to replace broken ones or for planting new trees with the tubes I've been given or salvaged. Doesn't take long with the new jack

I've ordered a cheap generic one. It's for pulling out the 1" square stakes - when the tree has grown enough to press on them, they won't wiggle out. I use a steel cable loop to hold the stakes (used it before with a jack I borrowed).

I want to be able to remove tree stakes from my trees where the tubes have been removed. Is it worth paying the extra money for a genuine Hi-Lift or are the other brands OK? I'd also use it for lifting the drawbar on a roller to mount it onto the tractor

Actually, now think it's probably a weeping beech

Don't want to start another hornbeam debate, but was sent this picture and wondered if anyone had an alternative ID?

Cut from the side, not the top. Gives you masses of lovely shavings to use for firelighting. I light mine by dropping coals from the BBQ down from the top - need to make more - plan is to strap them to the forks on the tractor so I can cut down without hitting anything

http://digg.com/video/tree-bike

I haven't. They don't come every year so I'll have a chance to harvest some before next time and speak to them. Having a big summer party in 3 weeks - wish they could have waited until after then! Oh well, what's done is done and we're due a few days of rain next week

This is a load of willow that was delivered. I had it tipped up next to the new woodland for habitat as I've had some very generous loads from members on here and elsewhere: Here's the result of about 3 loads - unusually there was some nice oak and ash in the mix, but most of what I am given is softwood (which still seems to burn OK :D) A bit more hardwood - a lot of this was taken by a couple of chaps who were after some free logs. I didn't really have the time or space to turn it into firewood and would only have tipped it in a habitat pile somewhere. Quite a bit of oak in this load. Here's the normal delivery - this is actually a neighbour's hedge. I just spoke to the surgeons on the road and said they could tip at mine. It was pretty dead anyway but I haven't moved it since it was dumped. I'll get round to it at some point

I'd cut a couple of them a year, in the winter, back to the pollard. They'd be 1-2" thick and I'd cut them into foot lengths which dry really quickly and make excellent barbecue and firepit fuel. My wife used to cut whips for toasting marshmallows at forest school and for other crafty things. My daughter was planning on building a den under some of them too. Don't wish to stir up too much controversy, just found it a bit of a shock to see how stark the place looks - the ugly barn was almost completely hidden before (from a certain angle :D). I do understand the power company want their money's worth and I'm not intending on officially complaining - just having a bit of free whinge here!

Yeah, I understand that. Still a pity, though. I have managed them in the past - I created the pollards in the first place, but I wait until the winter before cutting the stems for firewood. Before they were cut there were plenty of birds as well as other wildlife in the trees I agree they're not excited but it's not a very sympathetic job - like coming back from the barber with Grade 1 all over rather than just a trim! I guess aesthetics are not high on their priority

Didn't realise you were a member on here - been reading your blog for a while. Just seen you've posted a video of some coppicing you did with an electric saw