Getting the logs ready for next winter

This winter's not even over, but with sufficient logs back at home to take us through until spring, it was time to start refilling the shelter ready for next winter.

These logs are from trees that we felled in Oct-Dec 2009, and have been split and stacked since then, under tarpaulins for the past few months. Now they're cut up and in the shelter, they'll get a chance to really dry out before we burn them in winter 2011/12.

Because we won't be using the saws so much for a few months, I used both of our 346xp's to cut the stacks up, in order to drain the fuel tanks. A bit more awkward than using the 570, as you have to work from both sides, but better than leaving fuel in the tanks to go off.

Although it was sunny while we were there, the wood is pretty wet in general at the moment.

However, the combination of sunshine, water and rising temperatures is getting things going in the plant world. Buds are developing on the fruit trees:

and various other small plants are getting a head start ready for the summer:

Up at the top of Sweep Wood there are Primroses flowering:

and the view from the bottom, of the area we coppiced this winter, shows a gradual greening of the woodland floor:

Can't wait for the first flowers to appear...

Mike

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Signs of Spring

Here's some assorted photos taken over the past couple of weeks, showing the Spring is finally arriving - a few weeks later than last year!

Two weeks ago the wood anemones were just raising their heads:
They're out now, and if we go up to the wood this weekend I'll get some photos.

Other flowers are coming out too. Over in Sweep Wood Tracy saw Daffodils and Lesser Celandine:
the snowdrops, however, have finished now, and are heavily laden with seed pods:
Buds are coming out on the trees now. Last week the chestnut buds were starting to split and show a hint of green:
and the same is happening to our fruit trees:
and also the mystery plum tree in Sweep Wood:
We were pleased to see that at least some of the sheltered oak seedlings have got through the winter as well - you can just about see the buds at the bottom of this shelter:
The bramble and nettles are getting going
and the whole wood is looking generally green:
There's a lot of wildlife activity too, especially male pheasants making themselves heard (and seen):
and some active digging at a badger sett in Sweep Wood:
Hopefully we'll have some more springtime pictures for you in the next couple of days...

Mike

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