Blog - logging

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Europe’s threatened trees

by Lewis, 20 November, 2019, 0 comments

Recently, the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) carried out a survey of the state of trees through Europe, specifically related to their risk of extinction. There are some four hundred native tree species spread across Europe. Trees are not just essential for life on Earth (generating oxygen through photosynthesis) but they also provide food and habitats for hundreds of species - birds, mammals, insects, spiders etc. The loss of tree species has considerable ‘knock on’ effects in terms of the biodiversity of an area. Trees also provide us with timber and other materials (cork, cellulose, oils). Read more...

Unusual or exotic trees : the monkey puzzle tree

Unusual or exotic trees : the monkey puzzle tree

by Chris, 15 November, 2019, 1 comments

The monkey puzzle tree is a popular garden tree. It is so-called as when first seen in this country (in the mid C19th) by Charles Austin, he is alleged to have said that “it would puzzle a monkey to climb that”. As the tree had no common or popular name, it became the ‘monkey puzzler’ or ‘monkey puzzle tree’. Its scientific name is Araucaria araucana, and otherwise known as the Chilean Pine or Pehuén. It is native to the Andes of Chile and Argentina. Not only is it a long lived tree (with a life span of a thousand plus years) but the species has been around for a long time (in excess of 200 million years). It is sometimes described as a “living fossil”. A tree can grow to a considerable height - towards 150 feet with a trunk diameter of some five feet. Read more...

Powys Forest Horses

Powys Forest Horses

by Nick Burton, 23 February, 2012, 4 comments

I have recently set up a new business as a horse logger – using horses to help owners manage their woodlands in a sustainable way. Like many of us, I am concerned about the damage that machinery can do to woodlands but at the same time I feel that the UK’s woods will be more valued and better managed if owners can benefit from the woodland produce – and that means getting the timber out. I work with my horse Elza, to haul timber out of large and small woodlands with the aim of causing the minimum of damage. So, why did I become a horse logger? It doesn’t seem like a job that would immediately spring to mind if you were planning a change in career. Looking back at it now, I can see so many influences from my life which led to this point. From a lifelong love of woods and trees, to being Director of the South Yorkshire Community Forest and even being ruthlessly introduced to the joy of horses by my wife! Read more...

Wild Flower Guide

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Read our guide to wild flowers of woodland and hedgerow

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