|
We apologise for the recent apparent neglect of this and other pages. The server hosting this site has experienced serious problems. Fell Ash tree for furniture production. Oak slabs: We have an order for a large quantity of oak planks and slabs for ther construction of an outdoor classroom in Cotteridge Park. The slabs have been cleft from cordwood. Before sale, we must ensure that all of them (28!) are cut at one end to a minimum rectangular section of 5.5 x 2.5 inches.
Hedging Supplies: The hedge laying season is fast approaching its end, and at present there is little point in making more stakes.
Bean Sticks: The market for these has been unusually lively this year, and with National Bean Stick Day not far off, it makes sense for conversion to concentrate on making these, rather than hedging stakes. Car Parks: Replace perimeter logs and secure with new stakes. Logs replaced 13th January, stakes pending. Construct pedestrian gate and level member’s car park with neutral roadstone. Quantities of stone not yet determined. Paths, ditches and other man-made features. There are a great deal of these throughout the wood, and some of them may be historically significant. We need volunteers with some experience of surveying to map them. Geology: Knowledge of what lies beneath the wood is extremely sparse, and what is published appears to conflict with what is seen in the wood. A survey is to be carried out this summer. Footpaths: More prefabricated paths to be made and laid , preferably before the mud dries out. Meanwhile the sections of path most in need of improvement should be marked. Some urgent work is needed on Holly Way, where a large pit has developed under one of the trees in the middle of the path. A radical solution to the state of this path is now required to prevent it becoming impassable to a laden tractor and trailer. A large quantity of road stone will be needed, and also the approval of the Woodland Trust before work begins. Pond Clearance: Now completed. Corsetting: This is the technical term for clearing space around trees which one wishes to encourage. Much of this has now been done, but some attention needs to be given to a large wild service tree on Apple Way North which is surrounded by some inferior oaks. Milling: We have some major interest in oak boards from Cotteridge Park. All the existing stock is effectively sold, and as much again needs to be milled from trunks left at the Age Diversity clearings. This needs to be coordinated with our Open Day, since heavy horses need something to pull! Oak Trees – Removal of Inferior Stems: We have an order for a large number of rustic poles. These cannot be met from coppicing, and will instead be sourced from the High Forest by cutting out the thinner stems from mature oaks. Order completed. Coppicing: Something like half this year’s couple has now been cleared. The coupe is yielding an immense amount of material, but quality is very variable. There is still a great deal of work to be done. The prospect of a permanent renewal of the view of the Abberley and Malvern Hill seems dubious, probably because the whole wood has grown considerably in the last ten years.
|
forest. And there’ll be a pair of volunteers slicing these into planks and posts with specially adapted chainsaws. Lots of noise and sawdust. And cheap timber, too. Shame you can’t have a go with these chainsaws, but you can try practically everything else!
