Hazel, willow, beef and storytelling from Bedfordshire

Posts in category Bottoms Corner

Bio-chain oil in your chain saw?

Bio-chain oil in your chain saw?

If you use a chainsaw, electric or petrol, you use chain oil. This sticky oil is pumped into the groove of a chainsaw’s guide bar when the throttle is activated. The chain distributes it around the bar, providing essential lubrication and cooling. When the chain is running, oil is being pumped onto it and flung […]

Two trees – an update

Two trees – an update

In June 2018 I published a post entitled “A tale of two ashes” in which I described the fate of two young ash trees I had coppiced the year before and which, after regrowing vigorously were succumbing, to different extents, to Chalara ash dieback – A tale of two ashes – Wassledine . I did […]

Propagating Hazel by Layering

Propagating Hazel by Layering

Hazel (Corylus avellana), like many shrubs, can be propagated by part burying stems whilst they are still attached to the parent plant – layering. Roots and shoots will, with luck, be produced at the point of contact with the soil and these new plants can be left in place or moved to a new location. […]

Use a billhook? Read this…

Use a billhook? Read this…

Here’s a tale that I feel I should share with everyone who uses edged tools. I wish now I had taken more time to talk about it with my work colleagues. A few years ago, maybe four, whilst working up some cut hazel, I hit the back of my left hand with a billhook. The […]

A Day in the Woods – a recipe f...

A Day in the Woods – a recipe for health?

In the past I’ve done several jobs in which talking to people about the benefits of trees, woodland and other greenspace has been an important part of my duties. I’ve also been involved in creating new woodland or in several cases, improving or developing walking and riding routes. Quite challenging work at times but very […]