Granda’s forest

endagrogs

Hi folk, my grandfather planted trees on about a third of an acre in Donegal to provide some shelter to his nearby house. Through lack of management it became completely overgrown and many of the trees suffered as a result. Two years ago it was decided that the existing trees be felled except for 5 healthy(ish) oak trees. No trees have been replanted and I was thinking of doing it myself. I have been doing some research and the idea of growing certain species with the intention of coppicing them on rotation is very appealing as I would like to encourage some biodiversity. I’m currently studying furniture making and have seen makers used coppiced hazel creatively to make some beautiful pieces, so getting some thicker stock to use in the future would be a huge plus (I’d also settle for some firewood). The species I have in mind are hazel, birch, and alder (open to suggestions and additions). Right now I’m looking to pick your brains for information on when to plant, ideal spacing for coppicing, what measures I’ll have to use to protect the saplings as they establish themselves, and suggestions on places to buy saplings around the northwest. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Grá mór.

tabby aspreme

Order whatever trees you need from None so Hardy nurseries, they will deliver, you can plant bare root plants from November to June, plant at 1.5m x 1.5m, alder and birch need very little aftercare when planted they will grow at 1m plus per year, you will need to weed around the hazel for the first few years as its slower to establish

endagrogs

Thanks Tabby, really helpful info

slystallone

Is there any type of wood unsuitable to coppice for burning that would potentially cause damage to the chimney?

timfromtang

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122838129#Comment_122838129

Burning wet wood of any species will damage your chimney. Timber should be dried below 20% moisture to avoid this.

All species have similar heat content per unit weight @20% moisture.

slystallone

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122839129#Comment_122839129

But all types of wood are good as long as not wet and as long as not treated?

timfromtang

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122840779#Comment_122840779

Well, that would depend on what you mean by good. Lighter (less dense) and more resinous woods like cypress, spruce, larch, scots pine, etc are quite lightweight and logs will burn quickly with lots of flame, such timbers are often preferred by potters who use timber to fire their kilns. The coals remaining after the timber has finished flaming are lightweight and will not last a long time.

The reverse is true of Heavier more dense woods, Flames will be smaller, logs will burn longer, and coals are heavier and will last longer.

All this is true of course only of timber at the same moisture content, and heat output per kg is very similar between species.

hope this helps

tim

slystallone

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122840990#Comment_122840990

I mean good to burn in a stove in a house for heating.