AT AG Tree Services, we like to think outside the box when it comes to what can be done with tree surgery and forestry produce. Logs are not only good for firewood, an alternative is to make a 'stumpery.

The logs are infected with specific fungi mycellium (normally edible varieties or those used for medicinal purposes such as shiitake, oyster and reishi mushrooms) which are sealed into the logs using bees wax to ensure that no other fungi or wood boring insects get in. It is wise to also seal the log ends for the same reason.

If done right, a crop will be ready in 5-10 months time. (See our photo gallery entry for 'Stumpery' to see an example of one we carried out in birch logs).

A recent National Forest Inventory Survey was carried at Becky Falls on Dartmoor. This is a stunning site and AG Tree Services are fortunate to have the great outdoors as their 'office'.

Visit http://www.beckyfalls.com/ for more details of this famous Devon waterfall.

AG Tree Services spent last Friday in North Dorset splitting willow, lime, ash and yew log rings for a large property in Manston, North Dorset. 

We had spent many days at this property over the last few months taking down heavily storm damaged trees and had left the wood in approximately 8 inch rings.

On the day of splitting the logs, we hired a tracked dumper to move the logs to the splitter and managed to fill 3 good sized storage shed full of split logs.  If we were to have attempted to move the logs and split them by hand I think we would have been there most of the week so another satisfied customer.

After achieving the top student award and a distintion pass this year in my FdSc Arboriculture degree, I needed a new challenge to keep my mind active (and current !) which is why I am now an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) and will be working towards achieving professional membership.

More details about the ICF can be found at http://www.charteredforesters.org/