[spandit]

To discuss planting grant - very excited!

[County Dangler]

I had the chap round our place yesterday. Very helpfull and knowledgeable and he couldn't have been any more interested in our plans. I've just had an email to say that our scheme has been accepted for a grant too! I'm now awaiting a planting scheme and suggestions as far as species mixes go. And of course a price. Even with a 60% grant it won't be cheap!

[doganjo]

Anyone know the minimum size they would give a grant for? (Scotland)

[spandit]

Well, he came round today, seemed less keen on alder than me but otherwise sounds positive. Did insist on deer guards (found out later that my wife saw two deer in the paddock this morning!) but reckoned they could sort something out regarding mulch mat as I don't want to spray chemicals on the land. 

No email received yet, but encouraging enough anyway

[Small Plot Big Ideas]

I have a guy from the Woodland Trust coming early in October - mainly just to give general advice on woodland management at this stage.

We've also had a visit from the local North Pennines AONB people as well to assess the current woodland and advise on potential grants or support for next year. However their minimum might be something like 3ha and we have 1.5-2acres in total so it looks like they will need to group us together with others in the same situation so we qualify

[escapedtothecountry]

I applied about 3 weeks ago so expecting g a decision I this months round fairly shortly. Pleasing to hear they all sound helpful. Are you able to buy trees etc from wherever you want and use a grant to pay a portion .... Or do they tell you where to buy from, if you get approval?

[WoodlandRory]

Hi doganjo, what sort of area are you looking to plant? 

[Stereo]

Why not Alder Spandit, did he say? Do they grow there already? They won't thrive if it's very dry land but if it's boggy or moist, Alder is a fantastic tree for fixing N in the soil (maybe for bringing on Ash later) and also fast growing, fast drying and easy splitting. Plus it coppices like a dream and makes excellent charcoal. A fantastic species I think and hugely under-rated in the UK.

[spandit]

I'd mentioned I'd be planting partly for fuel and he said alder doesn't make good fuel, which isn't strictly true. I think it's an attractive tree, coppiced well and our soil is very boggy in places.

Haven't heard back from him since so might be pursuing other avenues

[Stereo]

He's talking rubbish. Alder is a superb firewood although it needs storing in the dry as it will quickly soak up moisture if left out in the rain.

[happygolucky]

http://www.stovesonline.co.uk/woodburning_chart.html

We collect a lot of wood due to  having a foraging licence, we have open fires so as long as its not left, Alder is fine, mixed wood hard and soft together is good but for us, the best is Ash!! Multihued burners may be less tolerant of the woods with more sap or water content, but regular service and any wood is OK, although I notice loads of people getting rid of fence panels etc, they can be very toxic..anyway, back to forestry and woodland, my favourite place to be!