When Sue and I lived in Combe-in-Teignhead close by the Teign Estuary 1975-2000 so I could be near Torbay Hospital, we purchased three parcels of mostly steep and neglected land in 1986/7. A legacy from my mother helped in that. Broad leaved trees were planted. Access to two is especially poor - thus more difficult and more time in our wet winters with a soil which is mostly clay. The tractor and link box is sometimes needed.
All together there are 28 acres of beautiful broadleafed woodland, and 7 acres of more level pasture. Within the 18 acres of wood pasture there is a cider orchard, with some ‘cookers’, which Sue and I planted c. 1988. In the springs and autumns this orchard is especially beautiful and fruitfull. The perry pear tree, Blakeney’s Red – the most popular ‘perry’ in Gloucester, has born many fine pears. In addition, we have about 4 acres of woodland by us here at Haytor. This was planted about 80 years ago with conifers – mostly Douglas Fir, to the north, and nursing mostly beech to the south. Most of the conifers have been felled and sold to sawmills. Some of the beech trees have been felled by windblow – 3 very vicious northerly gales, but a good majority remain. Some of these, with Scots pine (NOT for hearth logs), will be judiciously felled as self-sown beeches, rowans and other species grow up in new light.
So we have plenty of hardwood for your woodburners or hearths. I enjoy the whole process, including meeting you the customers! We employed friend and thinker Mark Blaber in the house, garden and woods for most of 40 years, and Richard Penellum these past 9 years every Tuesday. That day in the woods is my holiday and Richard knows exactly what to do. His good sense of humour lifts me.
Points. The dryness of the wood matters. It takes 540 calories to change 1ml of water at 100 degree C into steam. And burning wet logs is more likely to cause wood tar to line the flue. Seasoning, especially in dry summers, is part of that. Most of our logs have come from felling about a year before they come to you. However, we store about 7 tons in our linhay. A. Do have a good dry log store, preferably facing east for the drying winds. B. Lay the logs by the fire for a few days. Radial cracks show their drying. C. Warm the flue quickly by getting it to burn fiercely for some minutes, and before you go to bed. This is to rid the flue of distillates/wood tar. This is minimal in a lined and insulated flue, and with dry hardwood ie below say 12% moisture content. And make sure the chimney is cleaned in summer.
We cut and split the logs to suit your fire – maximum length you will tell us. By having our logs, you are part of our conservation of the natural world – hedge steeping, encouraging re-growth of native species, barn owls in the linhay etc. Lots of chestnuts, walnuts, acorns etc for the mammals for the owls.
David and Sue Halpin Kiln Shotts, Haytor, Newton Abbot TQ13 9XR 01364 661115
** more difficult and thus more time
Delivered prices – Summer - April to September £100 per cubic metre. Winter – October to March £110
Pay by cheque or cash. Contact: David and Sue Halpin on 01364 661115
