Plans for 2026

[HorseGuy]

So what plans, hopes or aspirations have you got for the forthcoming year?

After a lifetime of pen pushing I’ve decided to do something real in 2026 and 2027 so I’ll be going back to college part time to learn some construction skills.

Starting in 2026 there’s a multi-trade construction course which is a jack of all trades that covers painting, decorating and wallpapering, plastering, tiling, bricklaying, fencing, decking and kitchen fitting.

Then in 2027 I’ll start a carpentry course which teaches how to build stud partition walls, door frames and lining, installing windows, installing stairs, floor/ceiling joists and floor covering. I’ll also do a more advanced bricklaying course during the second year too.

 

[Kadushu]

I'd like to get fitter. Nothing groundbreaking, just back to where I was a few years ago.

 

[TeeDee]

After a lifetime of pen pushing I’ve decided to do something real in 2026 and 2027 so I’ll be going back to college part time to learn some construction skills.

Starting in 2026 there’s a multi-trade construction course which is a jack of all trades that covers painting, decorating and wallpapering, plastering, tiling, bricklaying, fencing, decking and kitchen fitting.

Then in 2027 I’ll start a carpentry course which teaches how to build stud partition walls, door frames and lining, installing windows, installing stairs, floor/ceiling joists and floor covering. I’ll also do a more advanced bricklaying course during the second year too.

2nd wind of life??

 

[HorseGuy]

2nd wind of life??


View attachment 100390

Still on my first one and blowing a hurricane.
I'm not sure where that DOB came from though. I'm not that young.

 

[Silverclaws2]

Alas due to fact that the end of last summer I did god knows what to my hip all plans for the forthcoming year are sort of on hold until I can sort the hip out.

So I guess despite saying all my plans are on hold, sorting my hip out to regain pain free full mobility forms a plan.

 

[ghillieman]

I plan to survive for another year.

I know what you mean .......same here.

 

[HillBill]

I hope to get my collapsed lung re-inflated, rather than surgically removed. All else waits on that result. Not being able to breath, sucks... Or not being able to suck, sucks, in this case.

 

[slowworm]

Scream if you want help.

@slowworm Indeed - if you need a hand I’m on the far west Somerset border near Wivey.

Thanks chaps, I tend to plant quite a few trees each winter so will not need any help this year.

In a year or two I could do with some help (opinions mainly) on my patch of woodland.

Thinking about the trees I've planted over the years I should take some pics of them to show their progress to date, there's some interesting results.

 

[TeeDee]

Thanks chaps, I tend to plant quite a few trees each winter so will not need any help this year.

In a year or two I could do with some help (opinions mainly) on my patch of woodland.

Thinking about the trees I've planted over the years I should take some pics of them to show their progress to date, there's some interesting results.

Ye seek opinions do ye?

Welcome to the forum , I don't think that will be a problem.

 

[HillBill]

Thanks chaps, I tend to plant quite a few trees each winter so will not need any help this year.

In a year or two I could do with some help (opinions mainly) on my patch of woodland.

Thinking about the trees I've planted over the years I should take some pics of them to show their progress to date, there's some interesting results.

Thing with tree planting, is its both very simple, and very complex at the same time. Simple in that it needs doing in a certain order, and let nature take its course... and complex, because it needs doing in a certain order, and letting nature take its course.

But i am being serious.

If you want strong slow growing deciduous trees, you need to plant fast growing deciduous trees. Ash, Birch etc... The pioneering species, the ones considered weeds for growing quickly and spreading seed far and wide.. And then, you need to let them live and die... 50 to 100 years... Over their lifespan, they have made the soil suitable for the likes of Oak and Beech etc to do well in... and given the space competition for the oaks and Beech to reach for the sky, and not grow withered and stunted as if planted in the open thinking you're giving them the best chance... You have also created a stable habitat for the heavy seed spreaders, ie, squirrels to establish themselves... Then you plant the oak and beech... assuming said Squirrels haven't already done it for you.

Cant rush ancient woodland, that's why its called ancient woodland. But you can, in a lifetime... seed one. And that, in itself... is a very noble thing to do. You won't live to enjoy it... but others will.

Typing this out, just reminded me of this poem by Douglas Malloch... Very apt i feel.

 

[slowworm]

I've been planting trees for years. I've done a fair bit of reading and have several books but learnt far more by getting on and doing things the best I can. For example, the books say spray off the grass and plough before planting, whereas I've just cleared a planting hole and got on with it.

Squirrels are shot on sight, they do far more damage than good. To be honest it's the jays that plant acorns and nuts around here, I don't think the squirrels do much good at all.

 

[Broch]

I have been managing ancient woodland for over 30 years and one thing I have learnt is to ignore all wisdom from retired foresters (sorry). If one is managing the woodland for maximum biodiversity the processes are completely different from managing for best timber production. Of course, there are all steps in between and compromise must be accepted especially when we want woodland for social amenity as well as commercial use and biodiversity.

We no longer have the ecological conditions in Britain for 'wild wood' to be self-managing. We have to provide gentle intervention for it to achieve its best potential.

The one thing we know now is that the fungal structure beneath the soil is of vital importance. Bacteria and fungus, vital to plant growth, evolved millennia before any flowering plant appeared on this planet. It takes hundreds of years, if not more, to create a true wild wood. We plant acorns for future generations.

Anyway - a discussion for a different thread I think

 

[Toddy]

Squirrels are inclined to bite the radicle (the bit that grows the first root) thus preventing germination before they bury nuts.
Magpies and jays do a better job so do people

Seriously though, if you want to sprout nuts from native trees, bury them in a compost heap that's mostly leaf litter.....ask me how I know....and about two wee boys who's annual chessie foraging ended up with literally hundreds of tree seedlings passed along to the local countryside rangers

 

[Pattree]

I have learnt is to ignore all wisdom from retired foresters.

Pretty sweeping given that much of the literature around current dendrology and arboriculture comes from work initiated by the former Forestry Commission. There was so much work undertaken at Princess Risborough and with partner organisations like the National Trust and some big private estates as well as joint projects with Aberystwyth and Aberdeen universities.
Britain has little production forest now, recreation is a significant role of larger forests.

Wisdom remains wisdom within its context.

Edited to add:
I’d like to spend a LOT more time with my grandchildren in woodlands and forest during 2026. I loved playing the W3W game with the older ones. Must reawaken it with the little ones.

 

[Broch]

Pretty sweeping given that much of the literature around current dendrology and arboriculture comes from work initiated by the former Forestry Commission. There was so much work undertaken at Princess Risborough and with partner organisations like the National Trust and some big private estates as well as joint projects with Aberystwyth and Aberdeen universities.
Britain has little production forest now, recreation is a significant role of larger forests.

Wisdom remains wisdom within its context.

Edited to add:
I’d like to spend a LOT more time with my grandchildren in woodlands and forest during 2026. I loved playing the W3W game with the older ones. Must reawaken it with the little ones.

There are always exceptions Pat

 

[TLM]

In Finland about 101 % of forestry papers are industrially oriented. While there may be some I have never met a study of how to found or take care of a non_industrial_production forest area. I have my own experiment on about 5 hectares but it has been guess work all the way.

Are there real studies and guidelines in the UK how to do it?

 

[HillBill]

I've been planting trees for years. I've done a fair bit of reading and have several books but learnt far more by getting on and doing things the best I can. For example, the books say spray off the grass and plough before planting, whereas I've just cleared a planting hole and got on with it.

Squirrels are shot on sight, they do far more damage than good. To be honest it's the jays that plant acorns and nuts around here, I don't think the squirrels do much good at all.

Scientific studies show that grey squirrels 'forget or dont need' as much as 75% of Acorns they bury. The study is one conducted in the US admittedly... but Grey Squirrels are invasive from the US, and outnumber the native Reds here by more than 10-1. So if a Grey buries 100 acorns a year, up to 75 of them will remain planted. I'd say that number counts for a fair few seedings come spring.

 

[Pattree]

So what are your plans for grey squirrels in 2026?

 

[forrestdweller]

getting out of costa pobre is my wish, although i doubt lack of funds will make it happen... (i quit my job as a tour guide just before christmas: despite being peak season i did not get ont tour in 2months (unlike all the other guides working for this company) and the supervisor's endless whining about my beard (75% of which are gone now...) were just annoying!)

 

[HillBill]

So what are your plans for grey squirrels in 2026?

Since i gave up shooting, i don't have any. Prior to that, roast, pie or stew.