Sowerpaw Forestry

05/09/2025

So this was interesting to do, I was asked if I could replace this beam, (Elm) post (Oak)and balustrade (Oak) with new Oak ones . (First two pictures) I am no builder but I have done bits and pieces of timber framing before so I thought it would be a challenge to take the whole process from tree to beam. So making sure the customer was fully aware of my limitations, we set too. I felled the Oak from a woodland that I manage, Mr Jo Willett extracted it, and I milled it at home. The spindles where turned on a pole lathe by Peter and Liz Ashcroft and my old mate (he’s 76) Mr Dave Elliot came and supervised with the odd specialised tweek here and there the replacement of the beam and supporting post. So there we have it from tree to finished product, as I say it was interesting, educational and believe it or not fun to do. Not sure I will be rushing to do another ( Not sure I am cut out for working for customers in a domestic setting!!) But good to do.

08/08/2025

Clerk of the works “William” on product inspection duty

05/07/2025

Now this was interesting (if you happen to be abit of a timber nerd. I think I might be getting that way) So this is a piece of wind blown Oak that I reckon had been laid on the forest floor for at least 15 years, all the sap wood has rotted away. I trimmed out what was left of its top and crosscut it back in March ready for Jo Willet to extract it. What surprised me is that it’s been laid on the ground and cross cut to 12 foot length’s and yet has a moisture content of less than 40%. Made some nice boards for Laurence Neal Chairs which was handy.

02/05/2025

Forwarder drivers delight, Oak top cordwood, the only plus is it ain’t raining. Expertly handled by “young Jo Willet “ well I don’t think he’s fifty yet!!

25/03/2025

I’ve started calling trees like this Trumpess, because from the outside they look solid and stable but in they are rotten to the core and highly unreliable. So I just hope that the UK government like me has a plan B when it comes to dealing with the unreliable!

19/03/2025

You got to love felling these singled Oaks off of old coppice stools. Most have some form of butt rot and seemed to have developed this amazing nack of putting my hinge where there is most rot!🙂 Last pic is I think shows that despite being told otherwise there are muntjac in this wood!! Who’d have thought 🙃

12/03/2025

Enjoying the the spring weather on the dawn patrol with the pack this morning!

20/01/2025

Today’s little clear up problem.

05/01/2025

No weather is hateful but this has to one of the worst combinations, it’s snowed over night then the temperature rose to plus 3-4 degrees. Now we have mist and missel everything’s slush, any form of timber extraction is going to have the same effect as using a blender on porridge including horses oh the joys!!!🙁

14/11/2024

Job for this morning, deliver some more selected Ash to Lawrence Neal chairs.

18/07/2024