Feedback & Questions THE WOODSMITH’S STORE Pollarding oak trials
Peter Quelch praises oak pollarding trials
A friend lent me your magazine and I was fascinated by the article on pollarding oaks by Philip Marshall. One of my main areas of study is traditional pollarding, which usually takes place in wood pasture settings, and by small farmers and shepherds rather than foresters and woodsmen.
Some time ago I suggested in an article
on coppicing that instead of ‘coppice with standards’ aimed at a timber market, that conservation coppicing could retain scattered pollarded veterans instead of tall standards thereby reducing the shading effect and also creating large hollow veteran tree habitats within the wood. Instead of ‘coppice with veterans’, Philip is creating ‘pollards with standards’. In effect a classic wood pasture structure, but without the cattle, while deer are filling the large herbivore role. Pollarding is a very practical response to deer pressure and avoids the extreme vulnerability to deer that makes coppicing difficult across much of the UK. Of course this woodland pollarding system
would be anathema to traditional woodsmen, but then so would the idea of creating any pollards within a wood, except on the boundary woodbank. However the aims and objectives of woodlands have changed, so has the deer situation, and new silvicultural techniques need to be considered, and tried out. To be more precise, this may not be a completely new technique. We don’t have examples of traditionally pollarded woodlands to examine today, but exactly this sort of land use was practised until fairly recently in Norway, and there may be vestiges of pollarded woods in the North Lakes still surviving. I am currently
our broad and specialized range of
Peter Quelch is impressed by Philip Marshall's action in pollarding of oaks himself
drafting an article which will give examples of pollarded woodland, its purpose and the associated products and methods of management. Maybe it is time to revive some of these old practices, and clearly Philip has. What I like about this case study is that Philip
has actually gone ahead and done the work, then written it up, while others just talk about it. The freedom to try something new is a big advantage of owning a woodland, as persuading reserve wardens to carry out innovative techniques is not easy. The precautionary principle used throughout conservation management tends to make them quite conservative. By actually doing the work you can discover
the way different species and sizes of tree react to pollarding, and also learn the best seasons in which to do the work. Philip already seems to have much experience in these matters as he can show trees with up to 10 years re-growth. As to the question of what is the best time
to start a pollard, in Sweden, where farmers are encouraged to do this to maintain some old cultural landscapes, I was told that it is when the tree (at head height) is about the thickness of your wrist, while another farmer said “No,” it’s when it is the thickness of your thumb. Quite small anyway. I would very much like to visit the woodland
and learn some of the points in detail. Maybe a one-day excursion for others interested would be valuable. Peter Quelch Peter Quelch Woodland Services, Argyll A visit sounds like an excellent idea. What Philip is doing is a great example of the value of small woodland ownership. As you mention, few other types of woodland owner would have the motivation or enthusiasm or time to experiment.
No more axes
David Friend recommends the use of a special splitting wedge
Thanks for another excellent edition of Smallwoods, Winter 2009. Referring to the article ‘Splitting without axes’, I use a conventional splitting maul rather than an axe. The greater wedge angle increases the splitting effect whilst reducing jamming. If this is unsuccessful, wedges and a sledge hammer are used. One particular wedge is called a Grenade, and being conical will automatically find the weakest planes to cleave. The point of the Grenade is perfect for starting into the heart of the innermost growth ring; it won’t fall over when struck and is easy to knock out if necessary. Its gold colour can camouflage it in leaf litter. The SmartSplitter was demonstrated at a local show an looked too easy, so I suspected that the logs were specially chosen. It was bench mounted. Raising the weight by pulling on a cord running over a suitable pulley might be even better if working indoors. Fitting a simple chute from the bench into a basket would even save that most backbreaking job of picking up the kindling. David Friend, Exeter
www.smallwoods.org.uk PLANTOIL_smallwoods July06 28/7/06 2:19 pm Page 1 The Top Name in Bio-Oils
Chain Oil Quality bio-lubricants for Chainsaws and Harvesters, from Rapeseed Oil
Aspen 2-Stroke Oil Fully synthetic, very low smoke, meets specifications for all engines
Sawmill Lubricants Non-toxic, rapidly biodegradable Saw Blade Oils & Conveyor Chain Oil
Hydraulic Oil Fully synthetic, 46VG bio-hydraulic oil
FREE DELIVERY TO MAINLAND UK F R E E P H O N E 0 8 0 0 0 1 3 7 3 6 3
SAW CHAIN OIL 2-STROKE OIL SAW BLADE OIL HYDRAULIC OIL
���������������� ����������������� ������������������ ���������� �����������
products will appeal to anyone who enjoys working outdoors, with wood, in a traditional way.
if we are not prepared to give a tool space in our own toolbox then we won’t stock it.
www.woodsmithstore.co.uk
GREEN WOODWORKING TOOLS, BOOKS AND DEVICES FOR
TRADITIONAL WOODLAND CRAFT.
����������� ������������
The NEW magazine for anyone who loves trees and wood
Wildlife & biodiversity Green woodworking Community woodlands Bushcraft & foraging
Timberframing & building with wood
All about woodfuel
Championing British trees and timber
News of products, events and courses
Jan/Feb’10 Issue out NOW! To request a FREE trial copy email us at
livingwoods@freshwoodpublishing.com or call 01285 850481
Spring 2010 Smallwoods 25
���
Rural Woodcrafts
Rural Woodcrafts
Trees & Wildlife Woodfuel ees Wildlife oodfuel
Eco-Living
Eco-Living
No.8
Jan/Feb ‘10
£3.75
Wood Aid The volunteers transforming our forests
Saving Crafts �������������������� �������������������� �����������������������
Mobile Milling �������������������� �������������������
Things to Do! WINTER SPECIAL �������������������������� ����������������� �����������������������
Twig project for schools Charcoal in a drum ������������������� Cooking wood pigeon Using a lapshave
lw08.cover 2 head 21/12/2009 16:32
ISSN 1756-8609 08
9 771756 860002
www.plantoil.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14