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spandit

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Everything posted by spandit

  1. spandit
    I would have thought that close spaced, well managed trees will grow straight whereas widely spaced ones are more likely to bend. I suspect the original shape of the whips doesn't make much difference
  2. spandit
    I can't see the problem - are you saying the whips are too straight?
  3. spandit

    Friday 13th

    spandit posted a topic in General chat

    First of all, our train from Manchester to London was delayed by an hour but luckily we got some friends to pick our daughter up from school. Had a call from a tree surgeon wanting to drop off some chip, so thought it was going to be a pretty good day after all... Just as I went outside to greet him, it started raining and I got soaked. Then his truck got stuck and the only vehicle with a two hitch was blocked in by another one and of course the keys were back in the house. Was just retrieving them when our friends came back with our daughter. After dropping her off, they reversed into our fence, knocking it over. The chip was a massive load and because the ground was so soft it's not really where I need it but he mentioned he has a loader which can move it in future... The ground is pretty messed up too, dreading on seeing it in daylight! How was your day?
  4. spandit
    I've asked to join under my real name - we have a free tip site in East Sussex Have sent a message but told it's going to your "other" folder...
  5. spandit
    Bit cold now, I'll have a go tomorrow!
  6. spandit
    They're not goat willows but thanks, I'll try just cutting the bottom ones. Should I do it now or later in the year?
  7. spandit
    No, think it's grey willow
  8. spandit
    Thread hijack alert! I have some willows that were pollarded/topped previous but the regrowth is from all over. If I cut off the lower shoots will they eventually give up to give me a nice pollarded "lollipop" shape?
  9. spandit
    Well, I managed to plant 15 of them before I ran out of time. They were all pretty moist in the plastic bags and I've left them in it overnight. Hope it's not too cold but they should all be in the ground tomorrow - even managed to find some dry ground, which was a revelation...
  10. spandit
    Martin, Sorry to hear about your wife - you paint a fairly gritty picture of the realities of heating with wood and I hope I'm able to put the hours in to coppice when my trees are big enough. If they just grow unattended then at least I can feel I've done something positive.
  11. spandit
    Well, they've been in transit for a few days but the tracking info says they were quite close this morning so I expect they're coming today. Weather looks OK too, which makes a change as I normally end up planting in the rain
  12. spandit
    I own a petrol one, they're much better engineered than the diesel ones, which are made in Guilford
  13. spandit
    Some parts have been removed... including the engine and gearbox. Yeah, good luck in finding spares for those!
  14. spandit
    Not sure I need to soak them for an hour - the ground I'm planting them into is pretty damp! Sounds like they'll be OK, thanks
  15. spandit
    Funnily enough, I've had others tell me I've planted too close but I am aiming for a natural woodland rather than high density coppice. The hazel is about 1.5m spaced but most of the trees are about 3m apart. We've got about 10 acres but don't want it blanketed with trees (at least, the rest of the family don't - personally, I'd cover the lot!)
  16. spandit
    I'm hoping it won't come to that! Might look into some poplar as diversity will always help but planting 6000 is not going to happen any time soon!
  17. spandit
    Only 2 acres for self sufficiency? Maybe I'll have to get some. I estimate I've planted about 2 acres of my 10, maybe more. Difficult to tell, even from the aerial photography I had done. It's over 1,500 trees but not all of them fast growing but we have some leylandii coming down soon and I'm sure I'll be able to pick up more from somewhere. If things get really desperate I might even have to start buying wood
  18. spandit
    Ah, we have a builders bag of sand ready for another project - thanks!
  19. spandit
    Thanks. I think in these temperatures it's like leaving them in the fridge anyway!
  20. spandit
    I've just had an email saying my second tree order has been dispatched but I'm going away on business until Wednesday so won't be able to plant them. Should I try to get my wife to heel them in or are they likely to survive for a few days? I can get her to water the roots to stop them drying out but it depends on how they're packaged, I suppose
  21. spandit
    Doesn't surprise me too much either, if I'm honest. Just reading the hyperbole from sellers of hybrid willow and poplar SRC would make it seem that it's really quick. Funnily enough, I didn't order any willow or poplar when I planted my woodland, although the former would do well on my wet soil. I think it was because it's so easy to propagate I thought I'd be able to get it free (and have grown some osier from cuttings). Have some almond willow arriving imminently but that's more for basket weaving
  22. spandit
    I bought a mule but the head gasket went, the handbrake doesn't work, one of the tyres is flat and bald. Wish I'd spent a bit more on a better one as the applications I have for it are manifold... Hopefully once my woodland is grown I'll be able to afford a better one!
  23. spandit
    From what I can tell, only one or two people are actually burning wood they've planted themselves. Coppicing trees someone else planted isn't what I asked (admirable though it may be). I have willows that I can coppice but I didn't plant them myself.
  24. spandit
    Well, was done by lunch, pretty much. Of the 86 ordered, I actually received 90 (an extra one in each bundle!) and I've found space for them all
  25. spandit
    We could be self sufficient in food, plenty of space for that, but to have enough trees on a 5 year rotation would take more land than we have (or are willing to plant) I suspect. Fortunately, at the moment, we have a good (free!) log supplier and I'm always on the scrounge where I can be...

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