spandit

That's very kind, let's see how they do this season.

I think I'll wait until they're a bit bigger. They're in tubes at the moment so accessing the trunk isn't straightforward. Nice idea, though, might try that on one elsewhere in a less formal arrangement (these are all planted up the drive in an avenue)

I doubt I'd have the capabilility but it's a thought...

Wish I'd known that when I planted them (although they were part of the Woodland Trust MOREwoods scheme and that was all that was available). Some fruit would be nice for the birds anyway

Did you cut through the boiler to convert it like that, then? I have an old oil burning Rayburn sat in my workshop and although I've stripped the innards out, because the water jacket surrounded the combustion chamber, there's no hatch to put logs in. I was thinking of fitting a rocket stove inside with the feed box in the lower oven, leaving me with one oven working should I fancy some impromptu baking...

That's interesting. These were bareroot wild cherry whips 2 years ago and I want them for the blossom rather than fruit or is it likely to fruit now that it has blossomed?

Well, two of them are in blossom now! Pics to follow...

I have a free tip site in East Sussex, which probably doesn't help you, but I've had a few tree surgeons off here dumping arb. waste & chip in exchange for tea & bacon sandwiches... I'm sure there will be someone near you who will take as much as you can produce - there's also a Facebook group called Woodalert which is pretty active

Ha! That's good advice - I listened to hours of them (and audiobooks) whilst planting my trees

Gather them up and put them round new trees?

That's what gave me the ratchet strap idea. Could have used a piece of wood too, I suppose

I get paid the same... sweet FA (this is my own field!)

...when getting a Suzuki Jimny stuck in the middle of a field: 1) stock fencing does not make a good improvised ground mat, unless you really like cutting tangled stock fencing wire out from underneath a car that is already up to its axles in thick mud 2) a 12mm polypropylene rope, whilst giving you the length you require (in combination with 2 recovery straps and a thicker rope and 30m of winch cable) stretches a LONG way before it snaps (with a Hell of a bang!) 3) Putting a ratchet strap around a tyre does not magically transform your car into one of these: It generally just makes it a more efficient digger 4) Reducing tyre pressure leaves you with a stuck car in the middle of the field with flat tyres 5) A winch is a surprisingly effective way of removing a fencepost that is driven in a couple of feet 6) a 3" willow sapling is surprisingly strong - can pull a Jimny out sideways! Of course, it didn't start raining until I had to get out of the cab to start the recovery process... I now have all my fence posts and wire dumped in the middle of the field and I'll have to carry them by hand

Kind of wanted to keep as much hedge as possible, though

Been cutting my way along inside a holly hedge, which is already tangled with old barbed wire & brambles, to install stock fencing. I've only done about 10m & I'm knackered! Don't have anyone helping me, I suppose, but how you guys do it for a full day I don't know!

Well, turns out there is no spark arrestor on UK models. Gauze strainer was clear. After I'd put everything together again, having blown compressed air through every bit I could find, it started and ran fine but doubtless it will play up again. Just need to wait for my new files to arrive to get the chain proper sharp again

Not sure where the gauze strainer in the carb is but I'll have a look tomorrow. Other bits I've read have suggested the spark arrestor in the muffler (silencer) might be to blame so I'll have a look at that first

Mine were bareroot whips. They've grown really well, way higher than some I planted elsewhere. Looks like I'll have to wait a while before my blossom drive materialises.

Thanks, Alec, will have to wait a bit longer then. Not sure what to make of the Adam Johnson reference, now that I've looked him up. I think I was being accused of treedophilia...

Don't know who that is... When do cherry trees reach puberty then?

That's helpful, thanks...

I've planted an avenue of 14 wild cherry down the drive and although they're all about 10' high (2 years old!) they're showing no signs of producing any blooms. A small almond I planted has beautiful blossom despite being about 4' tall. Is it an age thing or do they have gender?

My saw starts and idles OK but when I pull the trigger to start cutting, it just dies. Really frustrating as takes ages before it gets warm enough to keep going, even if I leave it idling for ages whilst I'm getting ready. Any ideas?

I was given a load and it was a ***** to split. The 20 tonne splitter I hired got through it OK but with a splitting maul and wedges, I couldn't get through it, no idea why. Dried quite quickly and feels like rotten birch it's so light. Burns really quick and unless you are desperate I wouldn't bother. Certainly don't pay for it.