Had a great time this visit. Met two very nice couples who share a plot in the same wood. It was reassuring to know there are others like myself, who are passionate about their woodland and that we are not actually mental, for wanting to own a woodland! Nice to see their wood and what they have done. They have owned it for a year now and have built a composting loo, and a nice rustic bench to sit around and drink coffee etc.
It was a hot sunny day again and I tried to take it a bit easy. I hacked my way through some more brambles along my border. Nearly there now. The fat balls I hung for the birds last time were no where to be seen. I did find one ripped net and some broken string so I guess those pesky squirrels had them away. One of the birds nest boxes I fitted is now occupied by a dozen or so earwigs! Interesting to see how quickly the ground cover is springing up in the sunny area where I cut back the heavy bramble and bracken to form a path. I took a walk through the sycamore stand which consists of tall thin stems planted about 35-40 years ago. Many are weak and struggling to break the canopy, some badly formed, some dead or dying. I earmarked a few as definite candidates for felling once I get planning permission on the TPO.
Lastly I took the time to amble through the overgrown mixed species compartment at the south of the wood. It was so nice just to wander about, looking closely at what is there, taking stock a little and looking for possible pruning or felling to open it up a little to the light. There are some lovely big stems of ash, beech, oak, sycamore and fair amount of coppiced hazel understory. I felt full and satisfied and really had to tear myself away when it was home time. Can’t wait to get back in next time.
