Paul in the woods

Small leaf lime has plenty of uses, edible young leaves, useful bark to name a few. Tilia cordata Small Leaved Lime, Littleleaf linden PFAF Plant Database On that note I wouldn't kill all the nettles. Not just because they're useful but they're great for wildlife. I'm actually trying to encourage them in mine.

I'm up in the north west corner, so about as far away from most shops as possible.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've no idea what Echo mean about servicing, hence the question. Their web site just says "Registration and servicing of products are required " and I don't know if you get a service book or anything. I'll email them to ask. A Stihl would be much easier to get hold of as there's a Stihl dealers nearby and I'd have to travel a fair way to pick up an Echo. As has been said a MS211 would be about the right price. However, do they only offer a 12 month warranty and, if so, why? It might seem a daft question those experienced with chainsaws but to a novice it seems a little strange. Most premium drills for example come with a 3 year warranty, why not a premium chainsaw? I know any problems are likely to show in the first year however, I'm only likely to be used for a few months of they year, nowhere near as much as a pro would use it, so would prefer a longer warranty. Sorry to go on about it but I keep reading newer saws aren't as good as the old models etc, etc.

Thanks for the reply David, any idea who I would talk to about it to see what's best practice? I would probably aim to leave some mature hazel and willow and coppice other areas. I've been advised to coppice to help BAP listed dormice.

Sorry to post yet another which saw thread but... I own approx 10 acres of woodland that's a real mix of trees (including oak, ash, alder, Scots Pine) planted about 20 years ago, old hazel and goat willow scrub and old hedge banks. Much of the recently planted wood needs thinning and coppicing and some of the scrubby areas also need coppicing. Most of the trees I need to fell will be under 30cm at the base but the odd one perhaps 40cm. I intend to go on a chainsaw course and can get advice on the saw from the tutor but I'd also like some other opinions. I would like a saw that's up to the job of felling the trees I've mentioned but also not overkill. Speed isn't an issue, reliability and something that'll last is more important. As it's not going to be used for professional use I like the idea of a 5 year warranty so have been looking at the Echo saws. I've settled on the CS-420ES ( Echo CS-420ES Rear Handle Petrol Chainsaw ) at the moment, so 15" (38cm) bar, 40.2cc and 4.6kg. Would that seem reasonable? The next saw up would mean I could fit a longer bar in future but I don't think the extra weight and cost is worth it at the moment. I could get a smaller saw but fell I would end up having to buy a bigger saw in the future. I also have a question about the 5 year warranty if anyone can help. I says you need to get the saw serviced, would this be each year?

... rhododendri or lichenoides - can anyone identify which one? Unfortunately when I took the photo I didn't note the tree it was growing on and there's willow and hazel in the wood. There's no fruiting bodies about at the moment but I often find several during the year. However, I have a question about both. I gather neither are that common and tend to like mature woodland. I have an area of old coppiced hazel that's been overrun somewhat by the goat willow and I had planned to cut out much of the willow and coppice the hazel which would remove the habitat for the fungi. Should I change my plans?

We've wiped out quite a few species from these shores so I don't see why not, provided it's worth while and actively supported. However, I'm more interested in reducing their numbers because of the amount of damage they do rather than to increase reds.

This seems like an appropriate thread for a long term woodland owning lurker to make the first post on. I've got just under 10 acres of very mixed woodland that's been rather neglected before I purchased it a few years ago. I've just completed my management plan myself, just waiting for approval from the forestry commission before I get paid for doing it. I used the free myForest service which may be of interest ( myForest • serving Britain's Wood Community ). It was a bit of a learning curve but worth doing. The forestry commission also has a template for a small wood that may be useful. What I have learnt is it's a balancing act, not just between producing something useful and looking after wildlife but also between different wildlife critters - i.e. what might be good for dormice might not be best for bats. I did get help from my local wild life trust and an associated woodland consultant (both free advice and your local trust might be able to help). But they do have their own goals that might not match up with yours, so be careful. As for tree recognition I picked up a field studies council tree trail for free several years ago and found it good for helping to identify unknown trees. It's a bit pricey now but might be useful: Tree name trail - FSC One final thing, if you have deer about take care coppicing as the new growth will be nibbled down before you can say "venison sausage", often the day after you've admired the new growth.