End of the road for MCV log sales
The MCV committee has recently made the somewhat difficult decision to give up offering the sale of logs to local residents.
On face value it would seem a shame because the activity assisted the parish council clearing recently fallen or felled trees within the Pleasure Grounds and Studland Common. It also provided an income stream to the MCV and the physical winter work was largely enjoyed by the “logging team” of volunteers offering healthy exercise and camaraderie.
The reasons for this decision were as follows: –
1) Wood smoke judged harmful to health
It is a major source of the pollutant PM 2.5- comprising of tiny particles which can penetrate deep into the lungs and blood causing serious health issues (as identified by the World Health Organisation). https://environmentcentre.com/the-environment/clean-air/#wood-burning
2) New Government regulations on selling wood for domestic use
These were introduced in order to partly address risk to human health. In February 2021 all retailers of logs up to 2 cubic metres had to initially register with Woodsure and then subsequently obtain annual certification to guarantee all wood sold was “ready to burn” with a water content less than 20%.
Full registration and the annual certification process was costing the MCV around £500 per year. https://www.readytoburn.org/about/
3) Storage and drying of the logs
Although the parish council generously provided the MCV with a secure roofed storage shed for logs, the requirement for achieving full seasoning of the logs meant that they needed to be stored for at least 12 months and therefore space was limited and the input volumes unpredictable.
4) Shortage of good quality burning wood
The logs of certain types of trees produce more heat and last longer with minimal waste ash and risk of tar deposits in your flue.
Oak, ash and to a lesser extent sycamore are regarded as the best quality logs to burn. However unfortunately the vast majority of wood made available by the council in the Pleasure Grounds comprises of Alder and Willow. Alder is generally considered a low-quality firewood as it burns quickly and provides little heat. Willow is considered okay but has a very high-water content and as a consequence requires storage for around two years.
Looking to the future the MCV will continue to offer its services with respect to clearing fallen wood in the Pleasure Grounds and Studland Common but will recommend that, where practical, the cut timber remains on site in loose stacks where it will provide useful cover for birds, small mammals and amphibians. Over time it will provide a slow-release carbon store gradually being broken down by the activity of fungi and a myriad of wood dwelling invertebrates.