Woodland stewardship

[BJJJ]

Any idea what the conifers are?

I found it fairly useful to write a management plan for my woodland using the free myForest system - https://sylva.org.uk/myforest/

Thanks for the link, I will have a look at this. Regarding the conifers, at the moment I don't know what type, they are all really tall and excude the light from getting down to the floor. All around the conifers are native broadleaf. I would be fascinated to know when and why the conifers were planted.

 

[slowworm]

It's worth looking through the myForest system even if it just helps you think things through. If you ever end up needing to fell any trees it can be used to show either you don't need a felling license or it will help you apply for one.

As for the conifers, you might find something on the governments magic map system, it can be difficult to use but provides a fair bit of info, including old woodland grant schemes etc. http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx

 

[BJJJ]

It's worth looking through the myForest system even if it just helps you think things through. If you ever end up needing to fell any trees it can be used to show either you don't need a felling license or it will help you apply for one.

As for the conifers, you might find something on the governments magic map system, it can be difficult to use but provides a fair bit of info, including old woodland grant schemes etc. http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx

1988 - 1991 wgs1 applied then from 1991 wgs2 applied but that's all the data avaiable unless I enquire under the FOI legislation for detail of the licence. Nothing else. I think talking to farmers local to the wood will produce some more info. I have no plans to fell anything, if anything looks dangerous or actually falls it might be different

 

[slowworm]

Much of my woodland was planted about then and also has a few strange conifers on it, I think the reason was "why not". I had wondered if yours are western red ceder or they could be something random planted as a wind break.

Along with removing dead or dangerous trees you also have a 5 cube a quarter allowance which is fine for us.

 

[Broch]

I've started a new thread (rather than derail this one) on general woodland ownership

 

[BJJJ]

I've started a new thread (rather than derail this one) on general woodland ownership

 

[BJJJ]

Must be 150 years old

Some from this morning, still finding new things to see

Some wind fall that I sectioned.

 

[BJJJ]

The woods are generally protected from high winds by the rest of the trees but there is one that had previously been hit by lightning and had a strip of bark from top to bottom damaged. After the recent windy spell this tree has started to break at a weak point several metres from ground level.

There had already been a very large branch from the tree blown away by the lightning and sitting straddled across a fork in another tree nearby.

other views of the damaged tree.

No other damage, plenty of chestnuts and beech nuts on the ground for the squirrels. Seems to be only already weakened tree suffered and the heavy foliage probably did't help.

 

[Broch]

You may want to consider a warning notice. I know it sounds contrary but I was told that I 'owe a duty of care to trespassers'. I have notices at all possible entrances to the wood saying that it is managed for conservation and that windblown and hanging dead wood are left in place to provide habitat for wild life and that every one enters at their own risk etc. etc.

If the wood is classified as 'commercial' (mine is ex-farmland so I've been told, without a change of use, it probably is) then you should consider doing a formal HSE risk assessment as well. It's not onerous and a worthwhile exercise I think. I can send you a copy of mine as a starting point if you're interested.

 

[BJJJ]

Thanks for the offer but I am a firm believer that reminding anyone that there are risks to walking in woodland or hills, roads and fields for that matter is a bit over the top. If anyone needs to be informed of the risks of these activities I would assume they don't have the wit to read and take notice of warning signs. I think we should remove all the warning labels from everything and let natural selection work.. Seriously though the wood is enclosed and warning notices posted. I am Tech. IOSH and a formal risk assessment is not a requirement in this instance.

 

[Broch]

Talk about teaching your grandmother to suck eggs! - sorry

Perhaps you could review mine? (only joking)

 

[BJJJ]

No, it was a kind offer and I took as such. .

 

[slowworm]

So, what are everyone's plans for work this winter? I really must do some thinning of the young ash, partly to open up the young woodland, partly to favour other trees that'll not die back and partly to get some firewood. I could also do with clearing the gorse from the main track although there never seems to be a good time to cut it back as it's used by the birds to nest in summer and provides late & early season flowers for the bees.

 

[Broch]

1) re-fence the western boundary (some 200+ metres of steep slope!)
2) get the 30 odd sheep out that have destroyed all last year's coppice growth
3) get back to the original management plan before that happened!

 

[Tony]

All this chat about woodlands makes me want to get hold of one again, where I am the only affordable ones are on hillsides!

It's great seeing your pictures and reading the conversations about owning woodland, more of both please!

 

[BJJJ]

some from last weekend.

I like this one it looks very cosy and inviting

 

[BJJJ]

After the wind and rain yesterday the ground is covered completely with sweet chestnuts. I have never seen so many, even the squirrels are spoilt for choice.

 

[greg.g]

Looks lovely Bill
Are you going to make it to North Wood in 2 weeks time?
If so, and there are any spare chesnuts knocking round, i am sure we could put them to good use

 

[BJJJ]

Looks lovely Bill
Are you going to make it to North Wood in 2 weeks time?
If so, and there are any spare chesnuts knocking round, i am sure we could put them to good use

I shall be there, I will collect some chestnuts before this weekend and bring a bagfull

 

[BJJJ]

Autumn is arriving. The squirrels are everywhere.