The Woodlands.co.uk Blog

Woodland Courses 2009 Pt 1

catherine — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:22:47 +0000

Now that you have your new 2009 diary, book some time to brush up your woodland �skills or learn new ones.� From the purely practical to the extremely esoteric, whatever you want to learn, there�s a course out there for you.�

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How to Sharpen a Chainsaw

catherine — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:08:05 +0000

Tips and hints on maintaining that essential bit of kit.��Guy Litchfield of Plumpton College�gives a video demonstration for Woodlands TV: (more…)

The Woodlands.co.uk Christmas Quiz 2008

catherine — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:46:55 +0000

How much useless information have you tucked away in your mind?� If it�s not in there, it�s all in this year�s selection of blogs.� A copy of Roger Deakin�s �Wildwood: A Journey Through Trees� to the first 6 replies with the correct answers.� E-mail your answers to catherine@woodlands.co.uk .� Answers will be posted in January

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Owning a Wood - the first few weeks

Gordon — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:43:47 +0000

Novice wood owners, Gordon and Enid Chambers, give their first impressions. After they’d finally “moved in”, did it live up to expectations?….�� (more…)

Falconry and Woodlands

Evan — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:23:43 +0000

Evan Davidson flies birds of prey in and around the Yorkshire area.� He explains how his interest in falconry brought him to�us �

I first got involved with Woodlands.co.uk about four years ago when I noticed one of their signs beside woodland they manage near Harrogate. The local area holds good rabbit numbers and the bird I was flying at the time, a female Harris hawk, needed to learn to fly in close tree cover. (more…)

Catching and Gutting a Fish

catherine — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:28:42 +0000

There is nothing more satisfying than being able to catch and prepare your own supper.� Alex McKenzie, bushcraft expert, demonstrates how to catch and clean a trout in the first part of the Woodlands tv�Bushcraft Series.� (more…)

Brambles (Rubus fructicosus)

Chris — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 12:51:01 +0000

The bramble is a common native species. It is found in many different types of plant communities from woodlands, to heaths and dunes though it is not found in native pine woodland, and is generally more common in lowland than upland woods.

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Cricket Bat Willow

catherine — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:29:51 +0000

Everyone knows that cricket is the sound of �leather on willow�, but it�s not any old willow.� Cricket Bat Willow is a variety all of its own � Salix alba �Caerulea�.� This fast-growing and straight-stemmed variety of willow produces wood that is tough but lightweight and does not shatter easily - ideal for cricket bats.

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The Sussex Trug

catherine — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:51:15 +0000

In the days before plastic containers, the �trug�, a wooden basket, was the common way of carrying and measuring.� They came in every size, from tiny up to a bushel.� Although they were found all over the country, nowadays they are particularly associated with Sussex and Thomas Smith of Herstmonceux who �reinvented� this ancient style of basket in the 1820s using local materials.� Queen Victoria made the distinctive, shallow garden baskets we are familiar with fashionable when she bought some at the Great Exhibition of 1851.�

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A Glossary of Tree Terms by The Royal Forestry Society

catherine — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:21:35 +0000

A new and very useful publication is now available from the Royal Forestry Society. �A Glossary of Tree Terms� is an essential reference guide to the terminology of forestry and woodland management, from �acidification� to �yield class�.

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