New kid on the block - all thoughts welcome!

[daibow]

I've just bought 5 acres of woodland, deep in the Herefordshire countryside, UK.

Building my own log home has been a lifetime dream, and now I have the perfect opportunity....

The woodland contains some oak, a lot of ash, chestnut, some beech....all good so far....but I wondered, can I use all of these if they are straight enough? Or will I have to purchase some forestry timber? I plan to build a concrete basement for wood storage and wood burning furnace, but that's about as far as I've got.

I'm right at the beginning of planning my project, so all advice and thoughts welcome. I've also signed up for the Sept course in Vegas and look forward to meeting some of you there.

Many thanks!

[rreidnauer]

Physically, everything you are thinking of doing is doable. I'm not sure how building codes are in the UK, but now is a great time to start picking their brains about what they will allow. Knowledge is power.

[daibow]

Thanks to those who replied. I walked our wood yesterday. Counted several sweet chesnut trees, dead straight and 40ft plus high. Also found a cracking big cherry tree which could be used for furniture... Really looking forward to the course now. Am bringing my son-in-law Alistair along now too. He's a carpenter, so thought it would be good to have 2 heads on the project from the start...
David

[LogSurfer2]

Hello daibow! My husband & I will be at the class in Sept., so it will be great to meet you! Glad you can bring your son-in-law with you, I'm sure he will be a great help. In regards to the trees on your land, I think I have read on other posts that the deciduous trees have hard wood, and can be tougher to pound rebar into, so you may want to be sure to ask when you are there what they think or suggest. Are you anywhere near some softer forest trees, like pine or cedar? If you can find a local resource it may help to save money and not strip your land of all your nice trees....just a thought, but like they always say, "use what you got". Anyway, take care on your flight here, and hopefully we will chat soon.

Judy Rainey
San Jose, CA