colmac Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 When CRT trim back trees on the towpath and leave lots of lovely logs just lying there, does anyone know if you are allowed to help yourself to said logs or is this classed as theft ? I know the towpaths are classed as public places but they are still the property of the canal authorities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenC Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 When CRT trim back trees on the towpath and leave lots of lovely logs just lying there, does anyone know if you are allowed to help yourself to said logs or is this classed as theft ? I know the towpaths are classed as public places but they are still the property of the canal authorities. I believe that it is the common understanding that you can help yourself The logs that are generally left behind are willow so have no value. The contractors that cut the trees do not want the hassle of removing the logs so leave them for the boaters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftycarper Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 When CRT trim back trees on the towpath and leave lots of lovely logs just lying there, does anyone know if you are allowed to help yourself to said logs or is this classed as theft ? I know the towpaths are classed as public places but they are still the property of the canal authorities. this subject comes round quite regularly and you will get two different views, the self righteous morally perfect brigade will quote laws from the doomsday book and brand you a thief, the live and let live squad will just say your causing know harm go for it, I doubt very much anyone has ever been arrested for collecting firewood to keep warm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGA Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 this subject comes round quite regularly and you will get two different views, the self righteous morally perfect brigade will quote laws from the doomsday book and brand you a thief, the live and let live squad will just say your causing know harm go for it, I doubt very much anyone has ever been arrested for collecting firewood to keep warm Well not since the days when stealing a loaf of bread got you sent to Australia :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tree monkey Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 I believe that it is the common understanding that you can help yourself The logs that are generally left behind are willow so have no value. The contractors that cut the trees do not want the hassle of removing the logs so leave them for the boaters. As long as it's CRT trees and on CRT property there is a unwritten understanding that it can be taken. be careful with anything offside as that's not always CRT property. properly seasoned Willow makes a fine firewood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 you will get two different views, the self righteous morally perfect brigade will quote laws from the doomsday book and brand you a thief, the live and let live squad will just say your causing know harm go for it. Thank you for your impartial summing up. I agree with you: wood left lying around on the towpath is not going to be used by CART and at worst can get in people's way, so the best use for it is to pick it up, chop it up and burn it up. Thinks: on the other hand, strategically placed boughs might slow cyclists down, so maybe we should leave a few of them to lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenataomm Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 I'm surprised this one keeps popping up. I'll explain it one more time ....... All cut and stacked logs left on canal banks belong to me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bod Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 As long as it's CRT trees and on CRT property there is a unwritten understanding that it can be taken. be careful with anything offside as that's not always CRT property. properly seasoned Willow makes a fine firewood How long would you season it? Bod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 properly seasoned Willow makes a fine firewood Don't let the Fade To Scarlets see this. It may upset them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackrose Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 How long would you season it? Bod Willow might be fine if it's properly seasoned, but in my experience it's full of water/sap and takes ages to season. Personally I don't bother with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dor Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 Piles of logs are generally fine to take - they leave them on the assumption boaters will use them. However in many places now on the offside they leave a mixture of logs and brash in a line a metre or two back from the edge of the canal. These are intentional wildlife corridors and should not be disturbed. It is pretty obvious which are the piles for the taking and which is the wildlife cover, but some people think the latter is also just rubbish for the taking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colmac Posted November 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 Right thats fine then. me and her indoors are off foraging for cut wood. I really must get a book on trees as I would love to be able to identify the different types of wood. I am keeping the location a closely guarded secret as I don't want a bunch of scavenging canal types nicking me wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tree monkey Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 How long would you season it? Bod Depending on the season it was felled/fell 2 yrs or so Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FadeToScarlet Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 Don't let the Fade To Scarlets see this. It may upset them. Too late. Wrought iron doesn't burn too well. I have some two-year-seasoned Willow to chop today, hopefully it's sufficiently seasoned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tree monkey Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 Right thats fine then. me and her indoors are off foraging for cut wood. I really must get a book on trees as I would love to be able to identify the different types of wood. I am keeping the location a closely guarded secret as I don't want a bunch of scavenging canal types nicking me wood. An ID based on wood can be difficult you really need buds, twigs, bark and ideally leaves. can I recommend the Collins guide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b0atman Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 The contractors leave the wood as it is classed as trade waste and would cost them money to dispose of it. I used to get a lot of wood from builders merchants for the same reason but so many households are getting fires fitted that the employees seem to take it now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Muck Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 Yes you can take it. I had this confirmed by CRT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham.m Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 Wood to burn needs a moisture content of 25% or less. One of the best things to have in the stove armoury is a moisture meter. Willow will take at least two years to season, look for radial cracks in the logs, that is a good sign the log is seasoned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter X Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 I believe that it is the common understanding that you can help yourself The logs that are generally left behind are willow so have no value. The contractors that cut the trees do not want the hassle of removing the logs so leave them for the boaters. You may well be right, but some willow does get used. There's cricket bats of course, and cane furniture, and this shows the branches being used to make a chair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRJ3b3FnGWs Is there some reason why the logs are not generally good for furniture? Not that I'm planning to try it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tree monkey Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 You may well be right, but some willow does get used. There's cricket bats of course, and cane furniture, and this shows the branches being used to make a chair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRJ3b3FnGWs Is there some reason why the logs are not generally good for furniture? Not that I'm planning to try it. Most timber used will be plantation produced, which means straight stemmed with minimal knots, canal side timber will be misshapen and full of knots and defects. plus daft as it may seem considering the location, extraction and transport will be expensive and difficult Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac of Cygnet Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 As TM says, willow is fine for burning if dried. About 50% of the wood I burn in the stove at home is willow, and as it's standing dead trees when I get it, it's most of the way there already. With most woods, and experience, you can tell if wood is fit for burning as soon as you pick it up. All wood dries faster when cut and split rather than left in lengths, as it mostly dries through the cut surfaces. This is particularly important with birch, whose bark is so impervious that the wood inside will rot before it dries if not cut. Unfortunately most boaters will not have the facilities to stack cut logs, but if you can, most woods will dry to burning suitability in a single summer from fresh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob@BSSOffice Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 Wood to burn needs a moisture content of 25% or less. One of the best things to have in the stove armoury is a moisture meter. Willow will take at least two years to season, look for radial cracks in the logs, that is a good sign the log is seasoned. Further information on why wood needs seasoning and reducing the moisture content can be read here www.boatsafetyscheme.org/stay-safe/solid-fuel-stoves/wood-fuel-wisdom/ and there's onward links to further fuel tips. Wood can contains a substantial amount of water and if unseasoned or damp wood is put in the stove, it doesn't do the stove, or the occupiers of the boat much good as it provides less heat, shortens the life of the stove, blocks the chimney and that can lead to CO poisoning and/or chimney fires. So following Graham's advice is wise. It's also not good to season wood, or buy seasoned wood, and then leave it out in the rain. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodstock Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 Some wood photos but really trying to see if I can upload photos at last Some wood photos but really trying to see if I can upload photos at last Nope - failed miserably Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter-Bullfinch Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 For wet wood over 30% I use an old microwave! Two minute bursts, usually at least a dozen of them, gets the content down to a dry level for a smallish bowl blank for the lathe. Sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Holden Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 House bote for your house boat - http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/House-bote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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