The great Scottish Poet, Robert Burns birthday is January 25 (1759-1796)... it is common tradition here to celebrate his life and poetry with an supper of haggis (and whiskey for those who do imbibe) on his birthday.
Underwoodsman tradition is to celebrate with a meal of haggis, jacket potato and squash. Prepared, of course, by 'chef Mike' in the woods. This year was no different. Our celebration this year was January 24th.
Just me, in my jammies, with my blankie and my cup(s) of lemon ginger tea.
I know.
It may not be the most exciting New Years Eve anyone has ever had. But it was mine. I was actually quite content. And. Truth be told, I didn't watch the movie just once. I watched it 1 and 1/2 times. Here, there are channels that run the same programming, just and hour later. So. I watched the movie. And then I watched the last part again.
(I confess. I have seen this film many, many times already, and will never pass up an opportunity to watch it again.)
It is a classic musical film, made in 1954. It is set in 1850's Oregon, about seven lumberjack brothers who decide to kidnap brides for themselves from a neighboring town...
and they all lived happily ever after.
Can you imagine how well this storyline would go over in this world we live in?
Since January is the Underwoodsman's month for felling the big trees, as part of his woodland management plan for Bore Place. It seemed fitting to watch a film about lumberjacks.
(And. I will never tire of 'happily ever after", as long as I live).
Worker in the logging industry who perform the initial harvesting and transport of trees for ultimate processing into forest products. The term usually refers to a bygone era when hand tools were used in harvesting trees.
Who? John Waller, the underwoodsman. Jake the apprentice. Romain Scordel, another area tree surgeon and gardener extrordinaire. Jack, his helper (and freelance graphic designer!). Mike W, veteran volunteer, keeper of the fire and master chef of the wood. Michael and Warren, new volunteers. And, last but not least. Me, sans Betty.
Where? Kilnhouse Wood, Bore Place.
What? Felling large trees. Cutting anything roughly 3 inches in diameter and greater into 6 foot lengths. Stacking it. Burning all the remaining twigs and branches.
How? Usually 2 chainsaw guys (John, Jake, Romain) at a time fell the trees and cut it to length. Everyone else drags, carries, tumbles, rolls or otherwise manoeuvres the cut lengths neatly onto the stack... and all the other stuff neatly onto the fire. All the while, trying to stay out of the way of falling trees, swinging billhooks and flying sparks whilst simultaneously trying not to fall into the fire or any of the above mentioned cutting tools due to tripping on brambles, branches on the ground or sticking up out of the ground (having been properly propelled into it from the force of the tree falling) or the remaining stumps of small trees.
Because the management plan is to restore a coppice system to section of woodland harvested each year, the large (ash) trees are cut at 4 feet off the ground. The reason for this is twofold. It will allow for more dormant buds under the bark to have opportunity to sprout and grow, thus, giving each tree (and/or stool) a better chance of survival. Also, the hope is that significant regrowth will be at the top of the stump, making it more difficult for deer to munch the new growing shoots.
This is a change started with last year's harvest. Prior to that, they were leaving 2 foot (ish) stumps.
It is my understanding then that John is planning and hoping for a 20 year rotation. I appreciate this strategy, not only in woodland management, but also in all life practices. It is planning for the benefit of future generations of people, woodland, wildlife. A concept, sadly left behind in so many cultures.
Two years ago, I heard horror stories about how awful January would be... but then, the winter was very mild and relatively dry. This year, I got a taste of the 'horror'.
The first week, we were harvesting trees along the edge of the field. Trees were felled into/towards the field, so that the stacks of wood could be established at the edge of the field making them easier to access by the chipper after they have dried for two years. That's all well and good... but if you've ever dealt with clay soils, you'll know that, they get saturated with water easily, and once they do, they become a muddy mess. A little bit of rain, us treading back and forth over the same area, and more rain and a short day or so later I was sinking in nearly to the top of my hiking boots.
Every. Single. Step. Was. An. Effort.
It felt like my boots were getting sucked off my feet!
One thing though. At the end of the day it was a blessed relief to walk home via the road. I was foot loose and fancy free. And, reminiscent of my childhood days, I took each and every opportunity to meander thru the puddles and splash around a bit, to clean off my boots.
Somewhere along the way, during week two, we crossed over the ditch into the woodland itself. The woodland floor was a little more stable, but a few days of rain and we had a muddy moat around the fire. Thankfully, the fire moved with us as we progressed along. And we had some days that were free of rain.
I wore my waterproofs most every day. At each days end, I was covered in mud from head to toe. The first week, i'd put them in the bathtub every night to get most of the mud off... but then, I just gave up and hung them in the entryway to somewhat solidify overnight, and put them on again the next day, still caked in mud.
The mud was, I think, the most challenging part of January. It is serious business, felling large trees, there's lots that can go wrong and when you see the force with which those trees hit the ground. Its frightening to think about being under one. Despite the mud and difficulty's, still, there was plenty of joking around and laughter. Lots of picking on the American. This is something that everyone else seemed to pick up on very, very quickly from John Waller. I did have a respite every once in awhile when they were picking on Romain (he's French). But, I can dish it out when I need to too... so, I held my own!
Mike did several meals for us again. what that guy can do with a dutch oven and an open fire. Amazingly delicious. Each one better than the last.
1) wild game stew (duck, rabbit, venison) with dumplings, and jacket potatoes.
2) curry seasoned fish with a side of stewed charizo, chickpeas and spinach, and jacket potatoes.
3) pheasant in straw or hay... this actually had an interesting name that I can't remember, and of course, Mikes signature jacket potatoes.
4) In honor of "Burns Day" haggis, squash, and jacket potatoes.
5) On our last day of work, chili con carne with, you guessed it, jacket potatoes.
Pictures... in no particular order...
JW cutting off side branches and trees into log lengths
Romain getting the fire under control
billhook resting in a tree... don't try this at home
Jack, ready to rock and roll
Romain getting the rope around the tree in preparation for felling.
Romain and Jack manning the rope to direct this tree in the way it should go... typically used for trees leaning the wrong way. John Waller manning the chainsaw. Me manning the camera.
Mike serving up the first of several delicious meals!
yours truely
just one of many large stacks of wood
The fruits of our labour...
wood stacked in neat piles to season and then get chipped next year.
pea sticks (aka the side branches of hazel) in piles to be gathered and tied into bundles of 20 for sale to individuals and large gardens like Chelsea Physic.
'twilly rods' and binders for hurdle making and hedge laying.
potential stake material for hurdles and hedge laying
a typical stool... left to grow until its next harvest time!
I included a bit of history and a bit of "how to".
In my last hedgelaying workshop, I was busy and didn't get to take many pictures. This time around, I wasn't actually participating, so I took lots of pictures.
Essentially, we were laying the hedge along the same hedgerow as last time, just a bit further along. There has been one section of hedge layed since, between where we ended in 2012 and where we started this year.
Without further adieu...
The initial length of hedge (far left in photo to just before the tree in middle of hedge-to the right in the picture) was done in 2011 sometime, by a group of boys from Tonbridge School. If you look closely you can see there is alot of new growth on the top of that first section.
So. In my previous workshop (2012) we started about 8-10 feet left of that tree (with the few leaves at the right of the photo)...
and went along, behind the watering troughs
to somewhere around the center of the photo below...
another group came in last year and did the next section, about down to where everyone is standing...
and this years group picked it up from there, or rather... layed it down.
Here they are in teams of two!
Pleaching and laying the hedge, keep in mind, this is Hawthorn -a commonly used species for hedges (and hedgerows in general, even in Vermont), as the thorns create additional incentive for animals to stay on their own side of the hedge- leather gloves highly recommended!
Next up, staking. John gives a demo on pointing the stakes... and some awesome tips for various way to use the bow saw for sawing off the top of the stake.
I have to say, John has a wealth of knowledge, and is adept at using both his words and demonstrations to help you understand what you are doing, or what you are supposed to be doing. His tips on how to use a tool, or hold a tool are invaluable really.
Thing is, some folks, like me, have to see/hear/do things multiple times before the light bulb goes on. A light bulb went on for me during this workshop pertaining to putting a point on a stake that has a curve in it.
Granted, the brightness of that light bulb has dimmed somewhat in the last couple weeks... but, at least it went on, right?
One of those invaluable John Waller tips. Tip #55
3 ways to cut using the bow saw:
1) hold the wood still and move the saw... this is most commonly how we tend to work with it, but you can also
2) hold the saw stationary in a horizontal position with one hand and move the wood or
3) step on the saw to hold it stationary in a vertical position, grasp and move the wood with two hands...
like JW is doing in this next picture... I never thought of this!
Pointing and trimming stakes...
Staking the hedge...
What did I do all day? Well, I took pictures, helped keep the fire going with all the offcuts, talked, threw sticks for Arthur (who was bored), made tea, talked, took pictures...
Even a small fire can put off alot of heat...
Arthur needed a little nap...
How I did it I'm not sure, but somehow I managed to not get any pictures of the binding being done.
:-(
Here's the whole crew, standing in front of their completed hedge.
It was pretty much an idyllic day... These folks were absolutely delightful, every one. There was plenty of laughter and good conversation all day long. Another 100 feet of hedge was layed, carrying on a traditional craft that is century's old. The weather was clear and crisp. The fire was warm. There was tea made from the Kelley kettle. Proper English tea too.
It doesn't get much better than that. Does it?
Life is good.
Closing with a few pictures that Paul (yellow coat, red trousers) sent as he managed to capture the finished product, binding and all. Thanks very much Paul!
It is a thing of beauty. A work of art.
a couple more years worth of hedge left to go... then what John Waller?
I have been sitting... typing... uploading pictures for so long my hands have turned to ice.
an implement with a broad, flat, blunt blade, used for mixing and spreading things, especially in cooking and painting
This is the second one I made way back in December. Gave it as a Christmas gift to my friend Duncan. He really liked it too! Having done some wood working himself he was fairly well impressed with my craftsmanship.
This one only took me a couple hours from start to finish...
Go me!
Hope I have opportunity to make more things via shavehorse and drawknife while I'm here...
I love this sort of work and dream of wiling away the hours...sitting on the shavehorse, drawknife in hands... drinking in the smell of the wood, appreciating the curl of the shavings as they peel away from the piece and fall to the floor. They dry feather light and make the most wonderful kindling.
There is something enormously satisfying about working with wood... and making something useful and beautiful out of it.
This is reminding me of Dick Proennke and the video "Alone in the Wilderness" my friends and I watched repeatedly several years ago. It documents the story of his experience living in the Alaskan wilderness. In it, after he has finished building his log cabin, he needs a spoon so he can rustle up a stew for lunch.. so he makes one, right then and there... Dick says, "not bad for a days work".
