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Steve Baughn's avatar

Interesting read. I would note that the fast rate of growth in the Coed y Brenin makes for a much less durable timber than Douglas grown in its native environment, which has growth rings about 3mm apart rather than 3cm. It seems particularly susceptible to rot caused by damp conditions: especially it dislikes being in contact with the ground. I would hazard a guess that Larch species that grow as large and as quickly would be a better bet for construction, being almost as strong mechanically, and rather more durable.

Incidentally, I can vouch for the dangers of cutting windfalls, the stumps crash back into place suddenly and with frightening force. I count myself lucky to have survived one such experience.

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Shadiya's avatar

Here in the south of Portugal it would also be oak - rotundifolia and suber, olive, eucalyptus is a commonly grown exotic, white poplar, pinus pinea is the only conifer I'm sure of, grevillea robusta and paulownia are seen in towns and could be more widely utilised in the right situation. The grevillea's common name is silky oak because the timber is similar, or so I'm told. I have seed but imagine it'll be a while before I find out for myself. The limiting factors here are water and degraded soils, with little to no topsoil on hillsides. Coupled with the fire anxiety which leads to "cleaning the land" by discing at the beginning of summer, it's hard to find soil with organic matter, which of course, exacerbates the water shortage situation. We likely won't get rain again now until October, September if we are very lucky. It's very different to what I'm used to, small off grid farm near Oxford, but I'm sharing my kitchen with lizards and I couldn't be happier. I've been reading your old posts and I see we share the same interests. Very much enjoying reading them.

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