Day Ash Farm: 23-11-2021

Holly, holly holly. Out, out out. 

Yes - you've guessed it. The NCVS were on a holly removal job this week, halo coppicing other, mature deciduous trees in the woodland at Day Ash farm. This was a prickly job they started in June 2021 and it was nice to be able to return and get rid of more of the encroaching holly. The increased light and lack of competition for nutrients and water that results from such a job is a real benefit to the trees and underlying flora. 

So - was progress made? You judge for yourself.....

The day started well with excellent weather

 and a huge turn out of 19 vols!!

The team split into two groups, one working 

in the lower wood and one the higher.

Downhill they were faced with this overwhelmed oak.

But by the end of the day had set it free.

Just around the bend from this action was another 

area that needed dealing with.

But it wasn't an issue. The vols just got busy with their 

saws and loppers and suddenly the holly was gone.

Uphill the vols were faced with this.

Anything deciduous behind that?

Oh yes indeedy - silver birch, 

welcome to the sunshine!

Of course it wasn't all plain sailing.

The constant supply of cut brash had to be dealt with.

But, with a little bit of tweaking here and there...

...a very smart dead hedge started to 

emerge from the chaos.

There were, on a number of occasions,

very large branches to deal with.

But that was OK because the NCVs had all eaten 

3 Shredded Wheats* for breakfast. 

(*other cereals are available.)

They could practise their tug of war skills throughout the day.

Luckily Tarzan put in a guest appearance, which helped 

with the more awkward, high level stuff.

This birch resembled a climbing wall with its

 luxurious crop of birch polypore bracket fungus.

The holly had a surprise in store for the NCVs.

As you got rid of a bush you realised that, hidden below,

was a forest of skinny little holly stems, all regenerating.

Hmmm. OK. We'll get you lot next time.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their breaks in the sunshine.

Funny tales were exchanged and..

...some extremely tasty rich man's 

shortbread was consumed.

Thanks Andy!!

By the close of play everyone, quite rightly,

was feeling very pleased with themselves.

Bramhope: 16-11-2021

And it's back to Bramhope!

Having made a good start towards achieving their hedge laying badge at Bramhope Scout camp last week, the NCVs returned this week to ensure that their skills (and the hedge) were secure. If you remember there were two fields to deal with and. last week, one of the two was over 2/3 completed and the other cleared and ready for laying.

However - it has been decided that, as the second hedge is so thin, it would make more sense to cut it to a sensible height and simply plant new trees in all the gaps. In fact, 420 trees have already been requested from the Woodland Trust and will hopefully arrive in March (just in time for the NCVs to earn their tree planting badge!)

The photos below show you what was done throughout the day.

Now then - how low should we cut down these stems?

Anita suggested 'belly button' height 

 - but whose belly button????

There's a lot to come off these to reach your BB Julia!

And here too Anita!

Meanwhile - over in the other field a second team were 

deciding which stems would need cutting out and 

which could be laid.

Many of them needed the chainsaw - 

- which made short work of them.

The rest could be dealt with manually.

Here novice Friedy is pleaching her very first pleach.

Ace axe man Andy can pleach a mean pleach....

...and passed the stem to Sarah 

who gently laid it down to rest.

This stem was one of a number that 

gave the NCVs nothing but trouble and ....

...ended up breaking off.

Ooops! Never mind. 

Hopefully the roots will send 

up some new shoots in the spring.

🤞

As the stems were being laid at one end of the hedge 

so the posts and rails were being added at the other.

These two look happy in their work.

Sarah kept the carpenters supplied with posts.

And of course there was a constant supply of 

brash getting transported to the bonfire....

The NCV ladies practised their branch throwing skills.

Eventually the first hedge 

was cut down to BB height ....

...and the second laid to rest with the rails in place.

Home time? 

No!!!! Come with me....

Just one last job to do - a patch of spirea, 

bramble and unwanted scrub to clear.

OK - that's done too.

Now you can see through to the other side - 

before the NCVs started after lunch 

 this view was completely  blocked.

Now can we go home?

Some lunchtime out-takes:

Lunch was eaten in the amphitheatre.

Dave had a go at trying to beat the 10 second 

NCV record for remaining on the tightrope, set by 

Andrew last week.

He started very professionally then 

fell off after 1 nanosecond.

The NCVs were joined by Leaf Man...

...as they nibbled on Anita's applecake and flapjack.

Thanks Anita!