Tidying a wood. Help needed.

[The Singing Stalker]

One of the places I shoot has a wood in it. It is just over half an acre, but very productive.
However, it has been maintained pretty poorly over the years. Trees were cut down and then bits have grown up on what was left of the trunk, so there might be 10 or 15 stems/ branches growing up and they are all over the place instead of one trunk aiming for the sky.
The land owner would like it changed to more of an open woodland, so I have been given “nearly” free rein to cut, hack and chop, to open it out and to clear the trees that are dead and fallen, trim the multiple branches. And I get to keep the wood for firewood, yay.

So, I haven’t got a freakin’ clue what to do. If we take, for example, one of these trees that have been cut down and the stems have grown up. should I cut out, say 10 of 12 stems? Will the remaining stems grow up straight, or will we end up a load more stems coming up?

The great thing is it will open things up so I can get a shot, instead of looking through the branches (as I did tonight) at the munties, and hopefully make it a better woodland so the flowers can grow,

So I see this as a great chance to learn some new things and at the same time get a load of wood. ( I run my heating and hot water on firewood).
So any help/advice welcome.
Anybody who knows about this stuff near me who would like to come for a walk and say, that, that and that, and cut this and that, more than welcome.
For some reason the landlord thinks I know more than I actually do. I can obviously talk a good talk.

 

[wytonpjs]

I'd dream of that opportunity - lucky you! Having done all my chainsaw tickets (C&G) and tree inspection, FE woodland management courses, etc, all the ground I shoot is sadly left to decay and we have to leave a very light footprint. Crying shame but we walk on thin ice with one which is owned by one of the very big old London estates

Possibly happy to come and have mooch but remember that most of this has to be done in the non-bird nesting season otherwise you'll get your wrists slapped.

Maybe @jall55 is the man to ask

 

[wellyboot]

It sounds like you are describing an area of coppice. Usually Hazel, Sweet Chestnut or Alder in the UK.

It will have a coppice cycle of 7 to 15 years typically, depending on species and desired final size/product.

Generally all the stems on the 'stool' are harvested at once, known as coppicing. You can 'single' stools, particularly Sweet chestnut, and turn it into high forest but it's only done if you have a specific market for larger diameter chestnut.

Firstly, understanding the species present would be the best start and the age structure of what you have....

 

[Greenmist]

Woodland Management

Whether you own woodland, are thinking of buying woodland, or just like trees this comprehensive book will be of value to you. "Woodland Management - A Practical Guide" contains a wealth of information on all the key areas including: management objectives - the factors influencing the choice of...

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Treat yourself for Christmas

 

[Terrydeer]

If you put some pictures of the woodland and then closer ones of the coppice stools, I am sure that the foresters on here can agree to disagree with a way forward

 

[The Singing Stalker]

I'd dream of that opportunity - lucky you! Having done all my chainsaw tickets (C&G) and tree inspection, FE woodland management courses, etc, all the ground I shoot is sadly left to decay and we have to leave a very light footprint. Crying shame but we walk on thin ice with one which is owned by one of the very big old London estates

Possibly happy to come and have mooch but remember that most of this has to be done in the non-bird nesting season otherwise you'll get your wrists slapped.

Maybe @jall55 is the man to ask

I was thinking of doing this over Christmas as we are house sitting there. But if you would like to come up, I am happy to throw in dinner and some stalking as well. Might as well make a day of it. It won’t take long to walk around it, it is only 1/2 acre. But if it works well, there is a bigger wood out the back I would love to put some rides into, and that is a whole lot tighter.
I will have a look and see if I have some photos, failing that, I will try to get some photos next weekend. I forgot my phone today.

I don’t think it was a coppice area. I think it was planted to look pretty by previous owners and just not been looked after well this last 20 years. Closer to the house it is looking pretty good, well spread trees growing up. Just the current land owner is not much into gardening, or knows much about it.

 

[Home Loader]

There is no simple answer without more information . What species of trees are you talking about?
In a nut shell if you are putting ride in East West rides are better than north south as they are open to the sun for longer. If you are clearing it as a coppice try to keep a ride/rack between each coup, if you are just clearing glades try and link them with rides as connectivity is good for everything. Thats a small nut shell to start you thinking. I’m not all that far from you I don’t think if you wanted a forester to have a wander about with you?

 

[jall55]

Can only really echo the great advise above - but dont be too tidy - Insects love dead wood .
It may not be a large place but it could become quite the haven
When creating rides you cannot be too brutal with the cutting as its amazing how quickly plant material comes back once sunlight gets in

Dig a little pond in it if possible - the biggest creature of life

 

[Jameshenry]

Might be an idea to do the work what's needed in stages, you don't want to be clearing too much in one go or that half acre wood will become unattractive due to lack of cover,

 

[countrryboy]

As has been said no simple answer.
Will depend on tree species and wot ur trying to achieve.

My top tips would be really learn ur tree species and how to ID them in winter time.
Important to decide how u manage it.
But also very important for safety if ur doing any felling.
All trees esp hard woods behave differently when felling. U could have 2 similar wueghted trees say Birch snd Sycamore put the exact same cuts in Birch will fall perfectly, Syc will snap off if any side wieght at all

And either do a chainsaw course or at very least get a decent cutter to show u the basics,.
Plus how to do a dogs tooth/trigger cut to prevent barbers chairs and how to deal with windblow.
2 most dangerous things u can do.

And wear ur Ppe, get in the habit of putting it on.
Also get in the habit of never having bar inline with body.

 

[Cyres]

If your coppicing hazel remember to put the brash over the stool. Prevents deer from nibbling off the new tender shoots.
1/2 acre won't take that long. Start late Jan and have a good few bonfires. Cord up as much as you can in an accessible place and pick up when ground is dry.
You need PPE and a good light saw with 2 new chains.
D

 

[Freeforester]

Consider leaving a few aspect and approach friendly fallen trees particularly if they’re eg Scots pine, oak or other deer friendly species , as a) deer like a bit of overhead cover just as we do, and b) in leaving them you’ll know where to look. It can be counterproductive to tidy up an otherwise (deer) productive copse. That said, it’s not exactly the Amazon basin!

Have a mooch around looking for bedding scrapes, and take note; let the deer help you become a better stalker. East and South looking bits up to 15 metres in - handle with care, they will normally like those edges. Elevated bumps ditto.

 

[old 30-06]

You need to find someone with tree and woodland knowledge, and have them walk over it with you. I would love to help you, but I am too far away. Hopefully you will find another forum member who lives nearer. Good luck.

 

[Terrydeer]

As above, ideally someone with woodland management knowledge, and also remember to take this area of woodland in a landscape context. Yorkshire is too far away or I would be more than happy to walk and talk you through, what you could do with this area and the adjoining woodland that you mentioned (as this is my day job)
All the best with this lovely project and I would ask that you keep us posted as this could act as an educational point for others on the forum

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Thank you all for the reply’s.
I am lucky to be very familiar with chainsaws as I have been running a woodburner for almost 20 years. And yes, I have the ppe and yes I wear it. I like my limbs exactly where they are.

It is a very small area with limited areas I can shoot, due to the house and road etc. So no rides in this particular wood.
In the directions I can shoot, It is very productive for Muntjac, sometimes Roe and very occasionally fallow. I do know where the deer come in, basically, from the really large wood across the road. and I have a highseat in the ideal position.
Generally shooting no more that 50 yards and more often 36 as the munties go along their highway. More care has to be taken to have the rifle up and pointing in the correct area as you are so close, they might spot the movement.

If it goes well, there is a second wood, much larger and that I might be able to persuade him to let me put a ride into, as that is very dense. The munties love it in there, But, that is very much for the future.

In this area, I will NOT be taking out any big trees. That is beyond my remit, and experience.
I usually get a call, after they have come down, or a large branch has split off and is dangerous. Those I can handle easily enough.

It is mainly small stuff. I think no more that 4 inches and no more than 15 feet tall.
A lot of it, is taking out 1 to 2 inch thick pieces that are growing where you might have a dozen saplings coming from one root and opening that up so what is left can go up. Doing that will really open up the area and not remove the canopy, as the large trees are already offering cover. That is where I have little to no experience.

It could probably be considered to be more of a heavy pruning, and a lot of the work can be done with a battery operated chainsaw, because it is so light. That will really clear off the low hanging branch’s and open up my angle for shooting.

There will be plenty of places left for the deer to lie up, as there will be an L section left alone, except to cut up the pieces that have fallen over and are leaning against other trees.

 

[The Singing Stalker]

As above, ideally someone with woodland management knowledge, and also remember to take this area of woodland in a landscape context. Yorkshire is too far away or I would be more than happy to walk and talk you through, what you could do with this area and the adjoining woodland that you mentioned (as this is my day job)
All the best with this lovely project and I would ask that you keep us posted as this could act as an educational point for others on the forum

I will start with plenty of pictures, so people can point out afterwards, what I have done wrong.

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Woodland Management

Whether you own woodland, are thinking of buying woodland, or just like trees this comprehensive book will be of value to you. "Woodland Management - A Practical Guide" contains a wealth of information on all the key areas including: management objectives - the factors influencing the choice of...

www.worldofbooks.com

Treat yourself for Christmas

Ordered. Thanks.

 

[Greenmist]

Ordered. Thanks.

Game conservancy "Woodland for Pheasants" is also worth a look, probably find a copy on ebay, although its getting pricey now. It won't tell you anything the other book won't. Contact your local woodland trust, very helpful and can give you free trees and advice

 

[finnbear270]

@jimmer is near you ish, he could able help with a pointer or two / know people who have the knowledge.

 

[Cyres]

Feb 2018 couple of days work at my friends place in Devon