Paul in the woods

As has been said, the ivy you're referring to is unlikely to be an invasive species, i.e. something introduced to this country that becomes a pest (such as Japanese knotweed). The ivy in you photos looks like common Hedera helix ssp. helix. (Ref: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/wild-flowers/ivy/) The first thing that occurred to me with your two recent photos was how little ivy there was on the other trees. I own a couple of pieces of woodland and it has far more ivy in it. I am also in a fairly windy area so each year several mature trees blow over, some have no or little ivy on them, some are covered. I could not conclude ivy is or isn't a problem. I'm also a bee keeper and ivy is very important to my bees as it produces a late crop of nectar which enables them to over winter without me having to feed them. It's perhaps one of the only crops produced by the woodland round here. I can understand people wanting to clear it to inspect trees or if you're growing timber trees etc. Which brings me to my main point in that the ivy will be down to whoever is managing the trees. I'd be more than a little annoyed if anyone started hacking back the ivy on my trees. Perhaps you should raise you concerns with the owner of the trees you're worried about? As few more random observations. With regard to the differing shapes of the leaves. I know in my woodland the deer don't browse off the lower leaves. But when ivy falls from higher up the leaves are often eaten by the deer so I would assume they are less bitter/poisonous. There are also several papers written about the possible effects of climate change on ivy growth. This would seem to be what you are after, a quick google should show them up.

I have assumed not (i.e. dead trees don't need a felling licence in England), but as you say I can't find anything clearly stating dead trees don't count. From this document: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/876641/Tree_Felling_-_Getting_Permission_-_office_print_version.pdf It states: "In any calendar quarter you may fell up to 5 cubic metres (m3) of growing trees on your property without a felling licence, as long as no more than 2m3 are sold." So, if they are completely dead they are not growing trees. I am also only talking about England. I would also add, does 3 trees make much difference? 20cm dbh would be say 10cm mid tree diameter? This table shows you could take out quite a few: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/826786/TimberVolumeCalculator.pdf You could split the work over two quarters, so 31 March then 1 April. I'd also take photos of the works, especially the dead trees if you need to rely on them being dead.

What makes you think there is a new species of ivy which is causing problems? Have you spoken so somewhere like Kew? I would guess that woodlands would have been more heavily managed in the past and ivy cut out, now it's just left or even left on purpose as more people realise how good it is for wildlife.

I only process logs for us but I'm a bit happier I pulled out the old oil boiler a few years back. I'm just a bit worried the light fingered wood wombles will appear again as elec/oil/gas/wood prices rise.

What length logs do you need? That dual splitter says max 22" log, so that would be 11" when you're doing two logs? My fire takes 20" logs and they're much easier to stack at that length to season. I'd also like larger and more robust rails down either side of a splitter to hold the logs on once split so you can split the pieces again.

No power source. I could buy a petrol splitter but it would need to be row legal and I'd need something to tow it. Just pointing out that axes/mauls have their place for some.

I have a decent electric splitter meself but this year I've been using my cheap maul as that's easier than moving the logs several hundred meters to the splitter. Anyway, interested to hear the comments on the X series axes although it seems to be mostly down to personal preference. I suppose I need to find somewhere selling the whole range and try a few practice swings in a shop....

Looks like ash with a bad case of canker. (Often occurs if the ground is often wet).

4mm file sounds right but what saw do you have, it should tell you in the instructions? Also, as another domestic firewood cutter, I'd echo the comments about not just relying on the PPE but also concentrate on what you're doing. Chainsaw gloves for example will not do much to stop you cutting your fingers if you put them near a moving chain. They offer kickback protection. Be careful if you buy the leather gloves, they can get very slippery if they get wet. Also, if the saw is corded, watch out for the cord. I sharpened a very blunt saw for a friend and then realised they had half cut through the cord in various places.

A quick google shows up Yeoman stoves, something like this is very similar: Yeoman Devon stove reviews uk WWW.WHATSTOVE.CO.UK Read reviews for the Yeoman Devon stove or post your own review on Whatstove

Why? I thought the oils are one of the benefits of softwood? I thought creosote in the flu was the result of burning any wood that's too wet and/or without enough air?

Wait 'till you try splitting it. The knotty stuff is some of the toughest wood I've ever tried to split! I have a similar sizes saw and it seemed to cope fine on Scots, it was running the 91VXL chain. I try not to take the depth gauges down too far if I'm logging up something big. Is your chain definitely getting blunt? I find the bar can pinch slightly in bigger wood, knocking in a plastic wedge in the top of a cut when half way through a log helps. I've found the chain can get blunt when processing ash that's been down a while, I just take a hand file with me and give it a quick sharpen every so often. I also thought full chisel chains are more prone to blunting.

I wonder if you could 'deliver' 2m3 but take a cube back to get round the regs? On a more serious note, with the higher heating bills we are all going to face next winter I would think everyone's time would be better spent trying to encourage people to accept 2m3. Also keep an eye out for when the consultation starts about regulating even large loads.

I just looked at your previous posts. 😉 As for the logs, I agree with others. Ash, syc, a bit of beach and other stuff. I can't see any obvious softwood. Looks like arb waste that's been left in lengths and then recently logged up. It's been down a while as some of the barks comming off. Should be fine firewood once dry and seasoned. If you split a few random logs and test the moisture then you'll know what you're dealing with. It'll dry a bit over winter if you can keep it dry and get the wind through.

Your pics are on a google account so hardly anyone will be able to see them. Upload them directly here if you want people to comment. I also go on smell, ash, oak and cherry all smell fairly unique and very different to cedar. To check the moisture you need to split a log and test the center, they may be just damp on the outside. I doubt the meter is wrong, cheap pin type meters will tend to underread as they read higher the wetter the log. You can check by measuring the moisture of a small log and then drying it off indoors. Having said that I expect it's highly likely your supplier has run out of seasoned logs and has either cut some from from lenths from last winter which will not have seasoned much or even fresh wood. As said raise this with your supplier. I think you had problems last year? Is there any way you can take unseasoned logs and season them yourself?

Is that the UK importers or Grillo in Italy? I would ask what's the purpose of the 20mm hole, what purpose does the 5mm clearance serve. To be honest I would have formally rejected the machine until they can come up with a proper explanation and fix.

I can't speak for others but as one who has moaned about council behaviour in the past I'll just add the following. There are obviously some hard working and knowledgeable people in councils and money at the front end may be less than is required. I certainly appreciate any help and advice they give here. However, I have had to deal with various councils over the years and I'm normally met with very unhelpful people who's first responce is to lie. I'm still waiting for a responce from my highways department as to why they thought they could undermine a 60+ year old beach tree by using a JCB on my private land. Said beech tree shortly fell across the road. This is one reason why I take the comments that councils value trees with a very large pinch of salt.

That's the badger, thanks. Googling it shows up: From: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/692124/Revised_Cabinet_and_Pole_Siting_COP_Nov_16.pdf Obviously there's wiggle room with the "wherever possible" but it gives me something to start with.

Perhaps not a legal mimimum distance but a recommended distance, or best practice? I saw one today that was right next to the road as there was a wall behind it so may not have been able to put it anywhere else. The poles I am concerned about have plenty of room behind them so were probably put a sensible distance from the road and the road has widenend over time.

I tend to think the old "you can burn ash green" as a bit of a myth based on the fact freshly cut ash has a lower moisture content than most other trees. I've heated our house for the last few years mostly with ash and I've found it can take a while to season it. If the log still has a high moisture content it'll smoke and provide less heat , just like any other wood. If it's for personal use then yes, mix a bit in with dryer stuff. Leave it by the fire for a few days etc. If it's being sold or you have a lot to dry then getting it out in the open on a dry windy day like today does seem to dry it off.

Possibly the most agreable comment of the year.

I'm more worried about loosing our phone and electric. I'm wondering if an old telegraph pole is an indicator for where the edge of the road used to be before traffic widened it. Edit to add, what's this 'black stuff' you mention? Half the road is green (people have been known to mow it) and the other half is a mud.

Thank you. I don't suppose you know where I can check? I could ask BTOR but I doubt I'd get an answer. I should have added this is a country lane in Devon, so rules might be the same but not applied (due partly to the fact the earth is still flat in these parts).

Does anyone know if there is any rule or guidance about the distance a utility pole (wooden telegraph pole in my case) can be from the edge of a road surface? One assumes it can't be in the road but could it right next to it? Not a tree question but I thought someone might be know or where to look.

I'd love to see them, we need more large (native) insects about. We have hornets about the place, love the sound of cockchafers as well. Sadly no stag beetles round here but they were fun at night. Keep wondering what it would be like with a prehistoric dragonfly about.