Can I make all usual structures with just wood from my small woodland?

[woodlearner9810182]

The sooner you put them in the ground after they have been cut, the better

Another thought...should I clear all the grass and brambles to reveal the turf underneath or can I just plonk the cuttings into that ground and the willows will out compete the other stuff? Loads of work if I have to dig down to the soil however will do it if it is advised.

 

[paulrbarnard]

Another thought...should I clear all the grass and brambles to reveal the turf underneath or can I just plonk the cuttings into that ground and the willows will out compete the other stuff? Loads of work if I have to dig down to the soil however will do it if it is advised.

Just push them into the ground, no need to clear. As long as they have not been completely dried out they will take. You can buy, very cheaply, lengths of willow to use for weaving. They are a good option if you want to start a plantation.

 

[--Tom--]

I’d shear all the undergrowth back to ground level so they have more of a head start

 

[woodlearner9810182]

Just push them into the ground, no need to clear. As long as they have not been completely dried out they will take. You can buy, very cheaply, lengths of willow to use for weaving. They are a good option if you want to start a plantation.

Oh good tip thanks. So it seems like the £35 per tree is a scam for the uninitiated.

On another note, I am just looking up roundwood to buy and I can't find any. Ironically it may be cheaper to buy unprocessed wood but that is no use if I can't find any to buy as a layman! Seems much easier to buy processed, expensive timber from the local merchant yard.

Are there any other tips for getting hold of cheap wood to make small structures like a shed and a cabin? Don't care if round or not. Not fussy what type but straight so I can make walls and roofs.

 

[woodlearner9810182]

I’d shear all the undergrowth back to ground level so they have more of a head start

Ok, shear but not necessary to dig up the turf all the way down to clear soil?

Sickling back is still easier than digging turf, the latter which is one of the toughest jobs!

 

[bourbon]

Know anyone with access to Pallets. Ideal for jobs like that and usually free

 

[Blackswanwood]

So it seems like the £35 per tree is a scam for the uninitiated.

Probably not a scam. My guess is you were looking at a more mature tree as opposed to something like this …

https://www.hedgesdirect.co.uk/will...CE7Bvlra9QzasaaYgTHyoMJRu3-CdAwcaAqRZEALw_wcB

 

[woodlearner9810182]

Know anyone with access to Pallets. Ideal for jobs like that and usually free

I was thinking of this too.

My neighbour told me a while ago that co-op give them away free. Not tried myself.

I contacted the builder's merchant about off cuts and they are saying they want paying for it and they will 'quote a price' once I give them specifications so it sounds like that won't be a cheap option. Looking on ebay as well and the market for off cuts still seems quite costly.

 

[Jameshow]

Oh good tip thanks. So it seems like the £35 per tree is a scam for the uninitiated.

On another note, I am just looking up roundwood to buy and I can't find any. Ironically it may be cheaper to buy unprocessed wood but that is no use if I can't find any to buy as a layman! Seems much easier to buy processed, expensive timber from the local merchant yard.

Are there any other tips for getting hold of cheap wood to make small structures like a shed and a cabin? Don't care if round or not. Not fussy what type but straight so I can make walls and roofs.

Trying a countryside store and ask for fencing poles! About £5 for a 6ft 3" round one.

 

[woodlearner9810182]

Trying a countryside store and ask for fencing poles! About £5 for a 6ft 3" round one.

One? haha. That is still going to cost a lot at a 5er to cover 2 acres' worth!

I have been told £230 for 200 on site westwaleswillows.

 

[Jester129]

Check out Facebook Marketplace, there will be places locally advertising free wood which will include pallets of all sizes. HTH.

 

[niall Y]

You should be able to buy your timber as cordwood - which are fairly respectable lengths, prior to it being cut as logs and seasoned.

 

[woodlearner9810182]

Know anyone with access to Pallets. Ideal for jobs like that and usually free

I went to town today and asked like 5 shops and they just gave that blank nonchalant stare and gave variations of 'computer says no'.

I have just seen a special deal on yorkshirewillow for 10k for £900! They said they plant only 50cm apart so I could get 40k on 2 acres but that seems excessive if I want them to grow out mainly for screening? Isn't that 40k figure going to be for commercial crops where the wood is the main focus to plant for maximum yield?

Will 10k be a good amount for the whole 2 acres if I want mainly as screen and to let them grow indefinitely? Well I would plan to use for weaving and wood too but only as a side thing and probably a fraction? Mainly wanting for screening and privacy.

 

[niall Y]

Quite specific varieties are grown for basket weaving, so you might need to do a little more research, before you commit to any particular variety.

 

[AJB Temple]

I thought you said you had worked at hedge laying for a year and a half. Surely in that time you would have learnt something about trees and hedging?

Willow cuttings pushed into suitable ground will root but take a long time to turn into usable trees. You will get typically 20-30% failures and deer and rabbits will also attack them. 10,000 is a ludicrous number for you.

You frequently mention your mother. She apparently has a willow. Just take say 100 cuttings from it. You can plant them with a pointed stick.

You didn't seriously go into high street shops asking for pallets? If you really think you can use them, go to an industrial estate and ask around. Most pallets are returned for reuse, but some will be available no doubt.

I must say I am not convinced you are genuine as the questions are beyond naive.

 

[Cabinetman]

Afraid I agree, it’s almost bizarre and some of the ideas are a bit Bot like?

 

[woodlearner9810182]

Afraid I agree, it’s almost bizarre and some of the ideas are a bit Bot like?

Yes everything people do not happen to find 100% to their tastes these days are either bots or trolls.

Can you not just find someone to be naive without it having some malign hidden agenda?

Yea I am naive or why would I be asking the questions? Sorry for not being such worldy seasoned souls as you lot.

Really, why would someone take the time to code a bot to pretend to have bought a woodland on some obscure uk forum? lol

 

[woodlearner9810182]

I thought you said you had worked at hedge laying for a year and a half. Surely in that time you would have learnt something about trees and hedging?

No, I wrote that I volunteered somewhere that coppice workers would come by and give advice here and there. I never said anything about working as a hedge layer.

Willow cuttings pushed into suitable ground will root but take a long time to turn into usable trees. You will get typically 20-30% failures and deer and rabbits will also attack them. 10,000 is a ludicrous number for you.

You just mention 20-30% would be lost so why would it be ludicrous to go over by a bit. Someone else said it would take in the thousands to cover 2 acres. Thousands -20 to 30 loss sounds like 10k would be a fair figure.

You frequently mention your mother. She apparently has a willow. Just take say 100 cuttings from it. You can plant them with a pointed stick.

You didn't seriously go into high street shops asking for pallets? If you really think you can use them, go to an industrial estate and ask around. Most pallets are returned for reuse, but some will be available no doubt.

Why are you making out like that is such a ridiculous thing? My neighbour told me he got them for free from co-op so it isn't such a fantastical leap to think other high street shops might give them away. I have also heard people picking them up over the years like this.

I have gotten cardboard boxes many times when moving by asking for them at shops so why would I be led to think pallets would be different?

 

[stuckinthemud]

For pallets, just drive around a few industrial estates and ask wherever you see any laying around. You’ll soon get plenty.