Hornbeam: Our Magical Friend
By woodlandstv
Slow connection? Watch in lower quality
“What is the hornbeam?” says Nick Lear, who has been managing a large hornbeam wood in Sussex for more than 20 years. Often confused with the beech, very few people really know the tree and its many qualities. This film takes us on a journey from Sussex to Walthamstow in London to explore its history, its many uses, its beauty and sheer resilience. Largely forgotten by many foresters, we learn from a woodsman, an outdoor chef, an artist and a community activist what the tree really represents. Enjoy the journey from “the very best of firewood” to a Bach remedy that “revives the soul”.
A film for WoodlandsTV, produced by One Planet Media a small company who really love trees, with two woodland owners amongst its Associates.
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Discussion
Look a bit closer and you'll soon see some big differences. Look for the twist in hornbeam
Not sure your sarcasm helps the communication friend – hornbeam really came to the fore as the best charcoal making wood, but of course its great for everything from butcher's blocks, to handles and roofers wooden hammers. We tried v hard to get a blacksmith who makes hornbeam tool handles and uses hornbeam charcoal to appear in the film, but after 3 months we had to give up. Nick Lear also talks about no fire uses twice
We disagree. Its hardness and terrific calorific value for fuel really make it distinct. It certainly doesn't grow like a weed in Sussex. It's tough and hardy but very neglected. When managed properly it makes brilliant hedges, fantastic firewood, and great tool handles and hammers
No real place for that kind of bollocks on this site. Deal with your racism and anger elsewhere
Can you earmark me 6 bags of hornbeam charcoal.? We really tried to get some for the film and burn it side by side with conventional but just couldn't find some. See our FB site – 'Lower Vert Woods Community Days' for comms
Yes – that's mainly what Nick Lear in the film does. The key thing is to get it back into a 30-35 year cycle
We just missed the bud opening so couldn't sequence it. It's pretty special and you might try and take a time-lapse if you are cynical about it
Sarcasm is a poor form of wit. Tree residues and woodland management have always provided firewood and fuel. If you don't get that with all the films on this site you are clearly bringing a very limited 'cutting trees is bad' approach which is plain wrong. This is not Old Growth rainforest we are talking about here but 'managed coppice woodland. Maybe some practical volunteering in a few small woodlands before you write stuff like this
@Vert Woods LOL
Chill out!
Da ntrnet is THE playground!
Jonty Shearme
What a wonderful thing to do! As you already know, Coppice Woodlands are very important for many species of plants and animals.
Ron Charles
December 1, 2019