This Blog allows visitors to keep up to date with news and events at the Great Wood. Some images can be clicked to show a larger version.
Preparing logs for winter
Seasoning split logs
Today the Fongw team split up into two groups to collect and prepare logs for sale in winter.
One team cut up and collected logs from dead tree trunks that had been laying seasoning on the ground for a while within the woods.
Crosscut logs waiting to be split
The other team used a log splitter to divide the logs into suitable sizes.
Log splitter
Splitting log with log splitter
Large log on log splitter
Log held in the log splitter
Gloves and safety goggles were worn for protection throughout the procedure.
Log reducing in size after several splits
Once the logs were reduced to suitable sizes for burning, they were carefully stacked undercover in the wood store, allowing for airflow. These will then dry out, seasoning throughout the summer and autumn ready for sale during the winter months.
Seasoning stacked logs allowing for airflow
Recent survey of trail waymark posts
Waymark post for Red & Blue trail
In recent weeks the FONGW team have undertaken surveying the wooden waymark posts on the three main trails within the woods. Altogether the trails cover a distance of approximately 7.6 km (4.5 miles) and include 61 single posts, all of which have now been inspected and logged.
Over the coming months, the team will be replacing 6 posts which have rotted and are beyond repair. They will install 2 concrete spurs for a couple of posts in need of just a little support and will also reinstate any posts that are loose or wobbly. 2 posts will be relocated since over time the trails have deviated from the original route and therefore these waymark arrows no longer do their job.
Routed waymark post ready for painting
A member of the team has been preparing the new posts. Each one is carefully routed ready to be painted with trail colour stripes once installed.
Approximately 15 coloured waymark arrow discs have either faded or have incurred damaged. These will be repainted or swapped for new ones.
Finally, each post will be stencilled with its own individual number that can be cross referenced against a map. This will help the team locate a post in the future when is has been reported to them as damaged and in need of repair.
Removal of holly stumps using a winch
Large cut holly stump
The Friends team have been using a winch to remove the larger stumps of holly trees that they have previously cut down. This can be strenuous work as the tree roots don’t always come out of the ground easily.
The work needs to be carefully planned. The condition of the equipment is checked before use, then a suitable anchor tree is located to secure the winch near to the holly stump. It is important to consider the health and safety of the team during the procedure, ensuring everyone knows the dangers involving the use of steel cable that is under tension.
The nylon pulley strap is secured to the stump and then the snatch block winch pulley is attached to it. This is then ready for the steel cable to be joined to it.
Pulley snatch block and nylon strap
The winch containing a steel cable is secured to an anchor tree with another nylon strap and safety cable. The steel cable is then pulled out and attached to the pulley.
Winch with safety cable & nylon strap
The snatch block is then secured to the steel cable.
Attaching snatch block to steel cable
Pulley attached to stump and winch cable
A long extension pole handle is then connected to the winch ratchet and the tightening process begins…
Complete winch assembly
Complete winch assembly
Winching
Winching
The holly stump is then steadily drawn out of the soil until it is freed.
Finally a mattock is used to lever out any roots that remain deeply entrenched in the ground. The stump with roots is then left in the woods to decompose creating a rich habitat for small creatures.
Using mattock to remove holly stump roots
Job done!
And the job is done!
Protecting nesting birds and wildlife
Nesting birds and wildlife are protected by the Wildlife & Countryside act 1981 which prohibits the cutting of hedges between 1st March and 31st August.
Therefore the Fongw team ceased cutting holly trees and bushes at the beginning of March and will resume again in September.
The many low and sparse holly saplings can still be carefully cut, roots popped and cleared as these are unable to support nesting birds. This management is necessary to prevent the holly adversely impacting the development of our well structured woodland.
Bridge repair down by Cuffley Brook
You may have noticed that this bridge on the Yellow Trail, down by Cuffley Brook has been in a bad way for sometime.
Recently, over several sessions, the “Friends of Northaw Great Woods” team have got together and have made the bridge safe again for walkers to use.
The nuts and bolts holding the bridge rails were corroded and tricky to remove. Replacement bolts were installed along with 10 new wooden planks.
Conditions were pretty muddy after weeks and weeks of rain!
Finally the bridge is safe for walkers to use once again.
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Clearing Holly to open up a trail for walkers
Four sessions of Holly clearing in this area, by the “Friends” team, finally opens up another trail for walkers to use again.
Clearing fallen birch blocking a trail
Fallen birch cut up and cleared away leaving the trail open again
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Hidden Oak tree revealed
Over time this beautiful old Oak tree had become hidden by Holly trees which had self-seeded in the woods. It was completely surrounded, so over the last couple of weeks the FONGW Team set to work to remove the invading Holly.
Chain saws and a felling lever were used to bring down the Holly trees. Saplings were popped, logs cut and stacked, then the site tidied up.
The majestic old Oak tree can now continue to grow without the hindrance of Holly trees.
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‘WAY OUT’ fingerpost reinstated
This very rotten oak fingerpost has been down for sometime. The Friends of Northaw Great Wood team sourced the materials and gathered to reinstate the post, enabling visitors to exit the carpark safely.
The rotten end of the post was sawn off. A new hole in the ground was dug ready to accommodate a new concrete ‘spur’ to support the rejuvenated post.
The shuv-hole tool was used to remove the spoil from the hole and the concrete spur dropped in.
Concrete mix was tipped in around the spur. Water was then added to the mix and once set the spoil put back and tamped down. 
Holes were drilled in the rejuvenated post to accommodate bolts.
The oak post was then bolted to the concrete spur leaving a gap between the post and the ground to help prevent further rot.
Job completed!
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A misty morning in January ‘Yellow’ trail…
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