[John]

Our land is quite acidic and suffers from a fair bit of wind. There's plenty of moisture though, being in N Wales. I'd like to put some trees, perhaps coppice, in to eventually keep the woodburner going and wondered what the best trees for the purpose would be. Willow seems well thought of but for better, more lowland, conditions.

[GrannieAnnie]

You moved already then John?      Better get my welcome to your new home card posted then! 

[John]

No, we've not moved yet but may as well start planning what we're going to do.

[GrannieAnnie]

 

[arugula]

John,

I would suggest trees like Rowan or Silver Birch.

Good Celtic trees too!

[GrannieAnnie]

This article is interesting!

http://cleantechnica.com/2010/03/02/money-doesnt-grow-on-trees-but-biofuel-does/

[John]

Well the plan is to border at least some of the fields with hedging and trees, both providing shelter and eventually fuel. Small trimmings will go through the shredder and thence to to compost heaps as the veg plot is going to need a lot of improvement.

[noshed]

Some of these might help: http://www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk/portal/page?_pageid=74,23223&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

[arugula]

Far from teaching anyone to suck eggs, we went for a native mix for our hedge plants - from a tree supplier up here supplied bare root - it is lovely as you have a variety of spiky things and different berries and flowers etc.

[John]

Don't worry - we're jumping right out of our comfort zone into pastures new. Which is what makes it so exciting.

Native plants appeal as we want to improve the ecology and bio-diversity.

[noshed]

I was at a camp site over the bank holiday weekend which is next to a school. The school had a fairly new hedge around it and it was full of blackberries, rosehips, damsons and suchlike. It looked great and the birds were happy too.

[ACatCalledElvis]

Cant help you for Wales - but we are looking to do the same thing - plant up half an acre of willow - and see if that keeps us going - if you look in Country Smallholding there are a number of nurseries who do quick growing trees

[Trillium]

I wonder if UK willow trees are different from North American ones, as almost no one here will use willow in their woodburners - the wood is too soft and sappy. Cut down a willow tree by the roadside and the wood will stay there forever over here. Evergreens are somewhat similar - a bit is good to start off the fire but no more as the resins cause too much creosote buildup inside your pipes/chimneys and would require a lot more cleaning during the worse parts of the year.

[ACatCalledElvis]

hmmmm - something I think I will check out - htey are very clearly put forward as the fast growing tree for coppice mangement and wood burning fuel - I remeber as a kid pine/fir did what you describe - but I dont think we ever bunrt willow!
Thanks for the point

[joyfull]

besides growing for bio fuel, consider sectioning off an area to grow spruces (for the festive season - sorry don't want to say the C word just yet  ), they are quick growing and a steady source of income every winter.