Two Acres

Hi Gardiners Tree Surgery, Many thanks for the advice Am I right to think that Ben Laws was the fellow who bulit the house in the woods on Grand Designs? I like the philosophy of sitting and looking and feeling what needs doing and what needs leaving. So far I've just removed a couple of lodged trees that I felt could be a danger. Other than that I've touched nothing. I'm in no hurry so at the moment its research and thinking time. On the subject of books I'm going to recommend one myself - The woodfire handbook by Vincent Thirkettle. His way of thinking about woodland sounds similar to Ben Laws from what you've said.

Thanks Agg221, I like your idea of a processing area. I guess that would also have the benefit of minimising the disruption to wildlife that could be caused by working all over the place? What I believe to be a 'big dead elm' is indeed solid. The bark is only just starting to come off in places, so I would guess its in good condition. As for size I'm not sure, I'll take a measure with me next time I'm in the wood. Its not massive but it is a good size - as a complete stab in the dark I'd say maybe 18 inch diameter.

Thanks for the advice Bren, you're right of course about the internet, I will keep that in mind. I do have quite a few saplings that I think are Elm suckers (I stand to be corrected). All not very big, some alive, many dead.

I have the large splitting axe, its a great piece of kit, very well made and lovely to use. After I bought it I picked up a maul for a tenner and I've used it to split almost all my firewood this year (about 12 cube for my own use). The Granfors has sat indoors looking pretty, its too nice to leave in the shed

You're right Woodyguy, it is a steep learning curve and theres a heck of a lot to learn. I only really became interested five years ago when I bought the cottage I'm in now and found it had a woodburner. Initially I was buying those orange nets of logs from the local garage Then I realised I had access to enough wood to supply myself, so started learning about firewood - acquiring that knowledge has occupied my attention until recently. I think I have a good understanding of that now - identifying tree species from logs isn't always easy though. From there I started wanting to maybe plant some saplings, to complete the circle and not just take out. I also realise I love being outdoors chopping firewood, its good work I think. Then I woke up to the work my Grandad had done and I feel I'd like to continue that rather than just let it fizzle out. I have to say I think Aarbtalk is a great website, I've learnt lots form it and arbtalkers are a patient and generous bunch - many thanks all for helping a novice, much appreciated.

Hi Timbernut, Yes, my Grandad established the wood. He died fifteen years ago (he was 87) and worked on the wood his whole retirement. I guess that would make the greater part of the wood anything up to 37 years old. Originally it was two meadows so the boundarys around those fields and between them contain potentially older trees. It also adjoins other woodland and on one edge is an ancient oak (sadly not mine). There is a 'pond'. Grandad was a farmer, he dug a drinking hole for his cows. Thats still there surrounded by some boggy land, so newts a 'maybe'. Many thanksfor the offer to take a look I'll send you a pm later when I have more time.

The leylandi are planted either side of what was originally a 'ride'. The intention was that they would form an avenue however they have not stuck to the plan! If I fell most of those I should get my ride back. I do think some tracks or paths are a neccessity for access. At the moment its a real ramble to move around and in the summer its a real struggle against the undergrowth. Interesting that you mention the Collins guide, I do have it along with a guide published by Aura and another by Hamlyn. To be honest I've not found that any of them are really adequate. Either the photo of the tree is too distant, or its the wrong season, or you don't get all the info you need (pics in all seasons, bark, fruit, seeds, blossom etc.) Maybe thats just because I'm a novice but I reckon a stroll in the woods with someone who could actually explain what to look for could really help. I'm finding it difficult to understand what a Hornbeam looks like and also an Elm :confused1:Thats most likely because I've not seen a large live Elm nor a Hornbeam, at least to my knowledge. Probably too many years pre-woodburner when I was't paying enough attention.

I agree Easy-lift guy. This is my first post on the forum (i've been lurking for a while). I have to say many thanks to all for the reponses I've had so far, much appreciated. Thats the second request for pictures so I'll take some next time I have a chance to get into the wood.

How much to you reckon it would cost to hire one for a weekend? Would be interesting to know but I think for the quantity of wood I'm thinking of extracting a hand barrow would do.

That sounds good but its difficult to justify that kind of expense when its going to be used to supply maybe £500 of free firewood per year

Wood wasp - I trust you and I can have a little political joust without derailing the thread or annoying the hell ou of each other I'm going to have to remind you that it twas the repeal of the Glass Steagal act in 1999, I believe, that caused the free market excesses of the banks that in turn caused the 2008 crash. Dear old Brown, Prime Minister that he certainly was not, did, at least, understand how to intervene to mitigate the crisis. We should all be very aware of the strategic manouvering of the Tories that seeks to move the debate onto the deficit (which is entirely manageable by the way) and away from the guilty parties in high finance who are the true cause if our current difficulties. Please take this in the good spirit that its intended. Thanks and back to the woods All the best

I've never heard of a powerd barrow, what sort of a beast is that?

Hi Steve, Just joined the forum and have been getting lots of good advice - cheers all. Also as the Dad of twins that needed intensive care a charity like The Childrens Trust gets my vote. Just bought some tickets, will go back for some more if my finances will allow. All the best

Thanks Wood wasp, sounds like sensible advice to me. Shouldn't your footer read something more like, 'The problem with Thatcherism is that eventually the banks will run out of everybody elses money'

Thanks Woodguy, I have some questions - how do you get the timber to the boundary of the wood? I found it harder work by hand than I'd imagined. I reckon the wood is pretty diverse - my Grandad, who planted it, was in the habit of planting all sorts of seeds that he gathered all around the country. I'm thinking that a tree identification course might help me improve my knowledge of what I have. That said I don't believe I have any sweet chestnut, good idea to plant some. I'd not thought of adding nest boxes, I'll do that, also a good idea. The birch is around thirty years old, so too old to coppice I guess? I should add that I don't have any immediate firewood needs. I'm known as being 'anal' about my firewood stocks by my mates. They love taking the p..s out of my neatly stacked sheds. I have a three year supply cut, split and stacked plus another two years in a woodpile. That means I'm working on year six in terms of firewood supply, so no need to hurry

Thats interesting Will C, The hazel will coppice in blocks (or more likely in stools of one or two at a time) I had a look at it today and some of it has got so big its just falling over, other stuff is not so large. Some of the Ash is in a line of maybe twelve trees. I was wondering if coppicing (or pollarding) some would allow the others room to grow? Do Birch and Sycamore coppice well?

Thats alright then! Keen radio listening fan myself, haven't been to a game for twenty five years or so. Its just that having an Ipswich fan giving me some of and a lot of all day might be more than I can take

Thanks Little Butch, I may take you up on the offer if I need some help - you won't be wanting to talk about the football though will you?

Thanks for the advice Lucan - it is remote as far as that goes in this part of the world. I am thinking that some kind of hut/shed for brewing tea and enjoying the wood would be great for us and the kids. Thing is do you reckon it would be safe or could it be broken in to/vandalised? Last summer some cheeky so-and-so had set up a little cannabis plant nursery in a clearing - had to have the police out to check it out and smash it up You never know who is making themselves at home.

Thaks for that Countryboy - I don't think I'll be getting a management plan or a grant then by the sound of things!

Many thanks for the advice Woodworm. I think what you're saying about widlife and forestry working perfectly well in harmony is what I want to achieve, surely that can't be too difficult? My opinion is that its just a question of joined up thinking, sadly that doesn't seem to happen much these days. One previous experience I've had is on the stretch of river where I go fishing the Environment Agency and anging organisation reshaped the river. That included planting some willows. Then, a few years afterwards , the local farmer pulled them all out again - one mans fishery is another mans drain!

Thats a good point well made Arbmark. By 'neglected' I mean completely untouched by human hand for at least fifteen years (that is other than folks walking through occasionally). The wood is certainly supporting a diverse range of wildlife - just the other day I saw a barn owl hunting and theres evidence of all sorts of other activity. My brother-in-law is a wildlife artist and naturalist so that side of things is something I'm aware of and not something I want to ignore long term. I think we're at the point where choices need to be made though, e.g. fell some or all of the leylandii to allow space for the sycamore that are being crowded out. If I don't make any decisions then some trees will be lost anyway and maybe they won't be the ones that would be best sacrificed. My firewood needs are pretty low, about three neatly stacked cube a year, so I don't think pulling out that qunatity of wood should impact the wildlife? maybe I'm wrong?

This is all new to me Hiluxstihl. Last summer me and a mate pulled out a big birch that had blown over and become lodged in another tree. Access to the wood is tricky, most of the year its on foot accross a field, but when the field is harvested I have permission from the farmer to drive over the stubble. We used a Landrover with trailer and got that to the edge of the wood. Then we humped rounds to the trailer, split them in the field and threw them in the trailer. Six hours work gave us a trailer load each, about half a years firewood for me. We're both happy with hard work in the woods, so no real problem, but I have been thinking that I may need a quad or some other solution long term! I just don't have much cash to spend on what for me is really just a hobby

Yes, there are a few bits of good size stuff that must be a good six inches diameter. If they'll make good firewood I'll put up with the spikes

You'll have to give me a little time on that one Sandspider - I'll take some pics when i next go