Jarvy-proofing my small Devon wood

A note about this blog

The first few entries look back over the preiod starting in late May 2019 when we first took possession of the wood. So the posts weren't too long, I composed a few and published them all over a couple of days. I'm now up to date but it would be worth going back to the first blog entry as that one gives quite a lot of detail about the layout and structure of the wood.

Well, I had quite a long break from my job over xmas so there was lots of time to carry on with the ground cover of bramble clearing and Jarvy-proofing other parts. There's plenty of hazel around so using the traditional and sustainable technique of coppicing enabled me to be able to create simple hurdles. As I wanted to Jarvy-proof before we lost him to the scent of pheasant I rammed stout rods into the ground and wove thinner rods between them to create a rudimentary  fence. These won't last more than a year or so but in the short term we'll be able to walk Jarvy in the wood without worrying about him going awol.

Honey and Jarvy contemplating the hurdles work and no doubt wondering what it's all about.

This will form a small corale where H&J can be left whilst I work. More hurdles needed at the back by the water tanks or Jarvy will be off!

 I also make portable hurdles that also serve as gates. These have stout uprights and horizontal rods for strength, joined by drilling holes in the uprights with the brace and bit (I like to use simple tools when in the wood), tapering the horizontal ones at the ends so as to make the basic frame.  A little bit of weaving other lighter rods competes the job. These should last a while longer and eventually I will make lots of these and move them around the wood as needed. The above pic shows a small hurdle. Others will be 6ft long and about the same height (3' or thereabouts).

Simple fencing using traditional sustainable coppiced hazel rods.

The above pic shows how the fencing works. Jarvy could force his way through if he really wanted to but he's a bit lazy and tends to go for the easy option . This area is fenced off because from there he can freely wander into my neighbour's wood and also up onto the quarry. This area is also Base Camp 1 and the water tanks. I will also be fencing off the other side, effectively making a small corale where H&J can be left if I need to get on with work that may be dangerous for them.

Coppicing hazel and making simple artefacts with just a few hand tools in the quiet of the woods is very satisfting. Me and the dogs go through the garden gate and lumber up the curved track together with just a shoulder bag containing, in order of importance:

• gravy bones
• poo bags
• pruning saw
• bill hook
• bit and brace
• bow saw

Then it's simply selecting hazel to coppice, sawing the rods near the base of the tree, carrying the rods to the working area, trimming them up and assembling the hurdles. This is as good a way as any to spend a couple of hours.: outside doing something physical  with natural materials and simple hand tools. Meanwhile H&J busy themselves with some digging (mainly Honey) and sniffing (mainly Jarvy). Gravy bones keep them close by and are a good incentive to come when called. I really can't think of many better things I would want to be doing.