Features Contents

WoodLots Home Page	WoodLots Archive
WoodLots Articles & Features
Articles and features relating to all aspects of local timber production and use have been published in WoodLots since 2001. Please scroll down and click on your chosen feature below. LEFT COLUMN : chronological, most recently published articles first RIGHT COLUMN : alphabetical, by subject of each article
The Great Storm at Wilderness Wood: Chris Yarrow shares his memories of adapting to the aftermath of the '87 storm	Al Ball: Cutting Sapling Birch (Jan 2003) ArborEcology: Environmental Arboriculture (Sep 2005) Architects Ensemble: Steve Johnson (May 2003) Balcombe Estate Sawmill (Feb 2002) BBM Sustainable Design (July 2004) BioRegional Charcoal Company (Sep 2002) Charcoal & Firewood Training (Scott Fraser) (Sep 2006) Charles Thomson: Designer Maker (Mar 2003) Charles Willment on Local Timber (2002) coppice-products.co.uk (July 2004) Country Woodworks & Martin Timber (Aug 2002) Current Softwood Timber Markets (July 2007) English Woodlands Timber (Apr 2002) Forestry Framework Consultation (May 2004) Forestry & Woodlands Framework (Sep 2004) Green Oak Carpentry Co (May 2004) Green Oak Carpentry Co wins Wood Awards 06 (Dec 06) Heat Supply from Wood Fuel (Sep 2002) High Weald Furniture (August 2001) Homegrown Timber (July 2006) Horse Drawn Extraction 1 (February 2002) Horse Drawn Extraction 2 (April 2002) Inwood Developments: finger-jointed timbers (Sep 2003) Inwood Developments Ltd (May 2006) Joe Thompson: Traditional Oak Framing (Dec 2001) Katie Walker wins Wood Awards 06 (Dec 06) Lignatherm: Heat Supply from Wood Fuel (Mar 2003) Low impact timber production in Nepal (August 2002) Norbury Park Sawmill: Surrey Hills Timber (Nov 2002) Planning for Sustainable Woodlands (July 2005) Plashett Wood Oak Framed Barn (February 2005) Pyrahut, a Timberbuild Network initiative (Nov 2004) Rough Guide to Timber Conversion (2002) Rural Grants Update (April 2005) Surgical Sculpture (July 2005) 'The Future of WoodNet (Dec 2003) The Timber Mill in Hampshire (Sep 2005) 'The Woodland House' by Ben Law (July 2005) 'The Woodland Way' by Ben Law (Dec 2001) Timber Framing: Ken Hume (Sep 2002) Tom Lambie: Woven Sweet Chestnut Hurdle Treespanner Timber: Charles Willment (May 2003) Vision & Initiative: 50th WoodLots (Dec 2003) Weald & Downland Woodshow 2003 (July 2003) Wilderness Wood (Nov 2002) Wood fuelled heat at West Dean College (Nov 2004) Wood Awards 2006 (Dec 06) WoodFair 2001 (Feb 2004) Woodland Enterprise Centre Open Day 05 (Nov/Dec 05) Woodland Harvesting, Processing & Marketing Grant Pilot (WHPMG) (Sep 2005) WHPMG Pilot Results (Dec 06) WHPMG Pilot Case Study (Dec 06) Woodland Heritage (Jan 2003) Woodland Heritage Field Trip to Frith Wood (July 2003) WoodLots 50th Issue - get involved (Sep 2003) World Class Willow: Cricket Bats (Sep 2004) Your Comments on 'The Future of WoodNet' (Feb 2004) Your Responses: 'The Future of WoodNet (Feb 2004) Useful Information
Supplying Woodfuel - A Growing Demand: WoodLots reports on chip supply to three different scale heating systems, each supported by the High Weald AONB
Focus on Training Whilst the Courses & Training section in WoodLots always has information on how you can improve your skills and qualifications, for this issue we've taken a closer look at some of the unique opportunities around the South East to 'upskill' and learn from experts in the field. September 2007
Current Softwood Timber Markets Dramatic increases in the price of sawn softwood timber & round softwood in the UK have marked the first 6 months of 2007 - prices are up approximately 25% since autumn 2006. Richard Smith, WoodNet Outreach Officer, offers his perspective. July 2007
When Burning Wood is Good: The concepts of climate change, fuel security and carbon foot-printing have recently become firmly entrenched in our popular consciousness. Our impact on the planet is regularly discussed over a pint or across the dinner table. Disaster scenarios and renewable solutions are often debated in the media, but rarely is wood fuel mentioned..... March 2007
Enterprising Advice & Training WoodNet has successfully secured LEADER+ funding from the Wealden & Rother Rural partnership to pilot a new training programme and advice service at the Woodland Enterprise Centre March 2007
Pilot Woodland Harvesting, Processing & Marketing Grant In October 2005 the Forestry Commission sought applications in Kent, East Sussex, the New Forest and the Isle of Wight for the pilot stage of the new Woodland Harvesting, Processing & Marketing Grant (WHPMG). The grant offered either 30%.... December 2006
Pilot WHPMG Case Study Frankie Woodgate runs her own horse-logging business based in Kent....Frankie successfully participated in the Forestry Commission�s Woodland Harvesting, Processing & Marketing pilot, which contributed 30% towards the funds required to buy.... December 2006
Wood Awards 2006: See some of the best in today�s buildings and furniture and celebrate our only renewable and sustainable building material. These annual awards.... South East Wood Award Winners: The Green Oak Carpentry Co wins Best Use of British Timber Katie Walker (designer-maker) wins both Furniture and Innovation categories December 2006
Charcoal & Firewood Training with Scott Fraser With 18 years experience in the arboricultural industry and as a Lantra Awards approved instructor and NPTC assessor, Scott offers Lantra Awards training for chainsaw maintenance, felling, climbing....is now developing two new Lantra approved courses: Charcoal Making and Firewood Processing. September 2006
Homegrown Timber Homegrown Timber now chip and deliver an impressive 1000 to 3000 tonnes of ready to burn local woodchip to large and small wood fuelled heating installations all over England every week. Demand is so high that they require supplies from elsewhere. Can you supply? July 2006
Inwood Developments Ltd is leading the way in supplying sweet chestnut building components from local, renewable sources - just take a look at the variety of projects May 2006
Enterprising Open Day - Enduring Wood Crafts Visitors enjoyed a range of demonstrations at the recent Woodland Enterprise Centre open day in October. Nov/Dec 05
The Timber Mill Conservation forestry, sawmilling, bespoke joinery and timber sales, tucked away in the Hampshire chountryside Sep/Oct 05
ArborEcology: Environmental Arboriculture Training in Environmental Arboriculture Sep/Oct 05
New Forestry Commission Grant The Woodland Harvesting, Processing & Marketing Grant (WHPMG) Sep/Oct 05
The Question of Affordable Rural Housing The Architecture Week seminar �Planning for Sustainable Woodlands� brought together speakers with expertise and experience in planning law and rural development, including Ben Law and Simon Fairlie. July/August 2005
Surgical Sculpture Climbing, pruning, slicing, felling and shifting the limbs and trunks of trees around London and East Sussex has helped Joc Hare develop a unique approach to utilising arboricultural waste. July/August 2005
The house that Ben and 96 volunteers built Book review: �The Woodland House�, Ben Law�s latest book, offers a practical and inspiring guide to house design and construction and an intimate view of Ben�s woodland home. July/August 2005
Rural Grants Update Jonathan Webb, Kent based woodland and countryside management consultant, guides us through the new Environmental Stewardship grants available for the conservation management of farm land including woodlands. April 2005
A Barn for All Seasons The oak-framed Plashett Barn sits comfortably amongst the trees of Plashett Wood, Isfield, East Sussex, offering shelter, warmth and rustic charm to all who visit. People often assume the barn is very old - a credit to those who crafted this delightful building just over a decade ago. February 2005
Wood Fuel in West Sussex West Dean College, near Chichester, processes 1200 dry tonnes of low-grade hardwood timber into woodchip for their boilers each year. Virtually all the timber comes from their estate woodlands, providing a crucial stimulus for continuing woodland management on the estate. November 2004
The Pyrahut The Timberbuild Network Southeast has taken The Architectural Ensemble�s unique Pyrahut design and brought it into dramatic reality in order to demonstrate the versatility of locally sourced timbers in construction. November 2004
World Class Willow A hand finished product made from English willow and exported throughout the world, a manufacturing process that has hardly changed for over 125 years and a factory employing 45 people in rural East Sussex � a rare success story for an English timber-based industry at the beginning of the 21st Century. Sep 2004
Update: A Forestry & Woodlands Framework for the Southeast Earlier this year, in WoodLots Issue 52, we publicised the opportunity to contribute to the debate about the future of our Southeast woodland resource in �Seeing the Wood for the Trees: a consultation on a Forestry Framework for the South East�. September 2004
coppice-products.co.uk Coppicing, a sustainable form of timber production and woodland management, benefiting wildlife, people and the local rural economy, deserves a well-earned economic renaissance. Perhaps www.coppice-products.co.uk can help� June/July 2004
Architectural Innovation Sweet chestnut, often associated with traditional rustic fencing, is popping up in the most unlikely places. Contemporary architecture in the Southeast is providing a remarkable new market for the humble coppice pole. Jun/July 2004
Seeing the Trees for the Timber The Forestry Framework steering group has spent nine months assessing the current condition and value of the woodland resource in the South East. We are now offered the opportunity to comment on the draft plan for a sustainable future for our woodlands based on the unique qualities of this region. April/May 2004
More Timber for Architecture The Green Oak Carpentry Company build and renovate timber-framed structures, from great halls to elegant bridges, from vast grid-shells to simple summerhouses, combining tried and tested traditional techniques with an innovative approach to new design and timber use. April/May 2004
Summary of Your Responses to 'The Future of WoodNet' In December 2003 we asked you to let us know how WoodLots can develop into a self-sustaining service. Your responses are summarised below with some options for subscribers that will holp ensure the continuation of this service. (*February 2004)*
Your Comments on 'The Future of WoodNet' In our recent survey many useful comments were made by our readers. We�ve selected a few, showing the varied perspectives amongst the readership and giving some background to the decisions we�ve made about raising revenue. *February 2004*
The Future of WoodNet: Your opportunity to contribute. Suggestions for the future of WoodNet and the WoodLots service are outlined. Take your time to consider these suggestions and offer your response and ideas on the linked response form. All respondents will be entered into the prize draw for Ben Law's book 'The Woodland Way: A permaculture approach to woodland management', kindly offered by the author. *December 2003*
Vision & Initiative: For the last 8 years, WoodNet has been informing people about local timber quality and supply, while stimulating new markets within the local wood chain. To mark the 50th issue of WoodLots, Dougal Driver (Forestry & Timber Association) and Jeremy Bolas (South East England Development Agency) comment of the past, present and future of WoodLots and WoodNet. *December 2003*
From Pulp to Parliament - transforming coppice timber Inwood Developments Ltd, based at Whitesmith, East Sussex, have pioneered the use of finger-jointing technology to process short lengths (as little as 125mm) of 15-30 year old coppiced hard-woods into high-grade, stable timber products. *September 2003*
As WoodLots Approaches 50th Issue perhaps now is the time to reflect on the growth of Weald WoodNet, the project behind the magazine, and to review the future. David Saunders invites WoodLots readers to get involved. *September 2003*
A Feast of Wood at the Weald & Downland Woodshow The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, with its rambling collection of ancient timber framed buildings, provides a perfect venue to show off wood, our most versatile yet renewable manufacturing material. The two-day event, held over the last weekend in June, offered a relaxed and intimate opportunity to meet designer-makers and to see diverse examples of wood use. *July 2003*
Woodland Heritage Field Trip to Frith Wood: A rare opportunity to see management operations on this private West Sussex estate and to discuss the realities of woodland management, timber production and timber marketing with the experts. Well over eighty people, including foresters, woodland owners, timber merchants and furniture makers, accompanied Neil Humphris, the Leconfield Estate Head Forester, on the Woodland Heritage annual field day to Frith Wood in June. July 2003
Treespanner Timber: Slap-bang in the middle of the Southeast, Charles Willment�s woodland management, mobile sawmilling and timber sales business provides an outlet for �single trees to lorry loads�, supplying an ever-growing clientele with a broad range of local timbers. May 2003
Home Grown Architecture Steve Johnson, project architect for the Weald & Downland oak gridshell near Chichester, shares some lessons and insights gained during this innovative project. *May 2003*
Workshop & Home Combined: a low impact option. Charles Thomson, designer and maker of fine contemporary furniture in local English hardwoods. *March 2003*
Lignatherm: Heat Supply from Wood Fuel Weald WoodNet has brought together all the expertise required to establish a wood fuelled heat supply company for the Southeast, Lignatherm Ltd. *March 2003*
A Sea of Sapling Birch - Hell for most, heaven for some Al Ball wants your sapling birch...January 2003
Ensuring our Timber Legacy The Woodland Heritage Initiative unites experienced tree and woody people to guarantee a future supply of quality timber. *January 2003*
On the sustainable trail at Wilderness Wood Abundant raw materials and diverse woodland products, grown and sold at source near the Sussex/Kent border. November 2002
Success for Surrey Hills Timber Norbury Park Sawmill, near Dorking, buys and sells locally grown timber and manufactures an extensive range of oak and softwood products for exterior use. November 2002
The BioRegional Charcoal Company An established supply network bridging the gap between small-scale local producers and national supermarkets. September 2002
Heat Supply from a Renewable Source: Wood Fuel David Saunders, County Woodland Officer for East Sussex County Council considers the case for large scale wood heating in the South East England. September 2002
Timber Framing, A Fresh Look by Ken Hume. Struggling to find a good use for the lumber locked up in your trees? The production of components for timber frame buildings may provide an answer. September 2002
The Country Woodworks and Martin Timber: taking advantage of locally grown sweet chestnut Jerry Martin introduces us to these complimentary businesses conveniently located just north of the Sussex/Kent border at Marden and discusses the use of sweet chestnut for construction, joinery, furniture and flooring. (August 2002)
Low impact timber production in Nepal: Peter Cook explains all...Trekking in the foothills of Nepal�s Annapurna Mountains, my companions and I entered a forest of rhododendrons. Not the shrubs you see in Surrey gardens, but huge, gnarled, twisted trees. August 2002
Innovative design combined with traditional craft You are probably familiar with the woven hazel hurdle, but have you come across the woven sweet chestnut hurdle? June 2002
A Rough Guide to Timber Conversion Charles Willment, local saw-miller and native hardwood specialist, explains some milling basics. June 2002
English Woodlands Timber at Cocking Sawmills, high on the South Downs near Midhurst, West Sussex, manage 3000 acres of local woodlands and sell a full range of English air/kiln-dried timbers and fresh-sawn beams. April 2002
The Practical Applications of Horse Drawn Extraction Systems Following her introduction to the history of horse drawn timber extraction in the last issue, Frankie Woodgate now offers a summary of the practicalities of present day horse logging. April 2002
The Fall and Rise of Draught Horses as a method of Timber Extraction In the first of two pieces on horse drawn timber extraction, Frankie Woodgate, considers the history of this sensitive and sustainable woodland management tool February 2002
Balcombe Estate Sawmill - What can you expect? In the first of our series exploring millers and merchants processing and selling local timber in the South East, WoodNet visits Balcombe Estate Sawmill. *February 2002*
Traditional Buildings from Firewood Grade Oak Joe Thompson builds and renovates timber frame structures from green oak. All the timber is sourced locally and receives minimal processing, while most of the construction work is completed using a portable set of hand tools. December 2001
The Woodland Way Professor Julian Evans reviews Ben Law�s book: The Woodland Way � a Permaculture Approach to Sustainable Woodland Management December 2001
WoodFair 2001 Over 9500 people enjoyed the huge variety and high quality of stands and demonstrations at the sixth Weald WoodFair, organised by East Sussex County Council, at Bentley, near Lewes. With only a few drops of rain over the whole weekend, the atmosphere was relaxed and unhurried. October 2001
High Weald Furniture Quality Furniture from local timber High Weald Furniture - a successful business designing and manufacturing modern durable furniture from small diameter local green hardwoods. David Green & Michael Rigg, company directors, have struck a healthy balance between the advantages of batch production and the skills and creativity required for individual designs. August 2001
Charles Willment' essays: - Local Timber Prices - Under managed Woodlands & Timber Quality - A Christmas Message from the Trees!
Useful Information County Woodland Officers Forestry Commission Woodland Officers Guideline Timber Prices Imperial/Metric Conversion

Back to WoodLots Home Page