Trailoftears

The conifer hedge issue can have a few different causes-overspray from oil tank filling in windy conditions/slightly overdeep cutting/ harsh or salty winds.The most likely issue is dryness at the rootzo es+adelgid/aphid attacks.If it spreads along the hedge-your'e buggered.If it stays static sympathetic trimming around the area when routinely trimming the whole hedge (late Sept) will encourage eventual closure-and shoots coming thru the dead zones are precious.But it can recur/spread/pop up in other areas too.

The sale of 'logs' certainly needs more regulation.You get cowboys selling any old raw/wet cack.Generally they dont give a feck about repeat sales,because there's ways another mug in the nxt town looking for a 'good' deal.At the bare minimum it should be a mixed load-of both hardwood and softwood with no more than 20% of moisture content.Ideally,it should have been cut down/rounded and stored under cover for 12 months.I suspect its a dying market due to cowboys/uneducated consumers burning crap/painted offcuts etc,etc.I gather in urban areas woodbur ers contribute more poison/particulates than diesel vehicles.Cherish the market-its being increasingly scrutinised-and in many ways-rightly so.