spandit

Just had to replace c.160m of water pipe after a massive bill for a leak. Turned out we had iron pipes. At least now we know where the water runs and have various shut off valves to isolate bits of the system

To collect an acres worth of clippings is quite an undertaking but I understand your frustration as we have a four acre field that the farmers don't want to bother with. You could rake up cuttings with a spring tine harrow behind a compact tractor. Not going to be beautiful mulch overnight, mind. Sheep wouldnt need to push wheelbarrows as they wouldn't be leaving clippings to carry! Electric fencing isn't too expensive and you might find someone willing to do it just to give their livestock some new pasture.

Best thing I've learnt all week!

I'd be interested to know how old it is if you can get a good section through it. Good for bows if long enough. I'll post this on BCUK to see if you get any more replies

Get some sheep

No further questions, your honour

Well, just over 2 years later it's up to about 8 foot and covered in nuts. Wish some of my other trees were as resilient. Think my Chinese dogwood has succumbed to the drought and I've lost quite a few beech. The almond and medlar are cropping heavily, though, and think it will be a bumper year for apples. Soft fruit is so plentiful we've left the cage open so the birds can help themselves

That would be awesome...

Plenty of them around, didn't think they'd chew right the way through, though

I've got more logs than I know what to do with! Mostly softwood and lesser hardwoods (horse chestnut and goat willow) but must have a few years worth in stock! I'd better get the willow off the ground before it takes root

Old thread but then I've just had several tonnes dumped (with my knowledge!) on my property - they're big old chunks, though, so it's going to take a while to process. I like using willow to cook with on the BBQ - way cheaper than charcoal (free!) and can give a nice flavour to the meat

I notice a few of my beech trees had died - I normally try snapping a small twig to see if it's dead or not but they just lifted straight out of the deer tubes. On closer inspection, they had very neatly been chewed through and the tubes were full of dried grass. It's beautiful craftsmanship but what kind of rodent would have done it? The tubes were pushed hard into the ground so whatever it was either chewed through or burrowed underneath. One of the tubes looked like it had been shot with a shotgun - I assume a fox (or possibly one of my dogs) had been trying to bite through it to get at whatever was inside. Bit of a shame to lose some nice trees but then the woodland was planted to attract nature and I suppose one must accept a certain attrition rate

At least your pond has water. Mine is dry and over the winter it was 15 foot deep...

Small diameter leylandii roundwood (c.4”) is pretty dense and burns quite a long time. With a bit of willow in the mix too we can be toasty warm for nothing!

Sure I read somewhere that trees in towns can actually make pollution worse by impeding airflow. I'd still rather have more trees than fewer