Welcome to Southwood
PROJECTS
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Charcoal from Rhododendron
When we bought the wood in 2016, we did not intend to make charcoal. However, we were clear that the rhododendron that had spread to cover 2/3 of the wood, needed to be eradicated. Once we started clearance, we realised just how much wood and brash needed disposing. The Forestry Commission's recommended method is simply to burn it all, with the consequent air pollution, which we wanted to avoid. Nopr could it be used as firewood as it contains grayanotoxins which are poisonous. However, we discovered that rhododendron can make high quality charcoal if produced in a sealed retort, rather than in a standard charcoal ring kiln. In a retort the higher temperatures ensure that the toxins are driven off and the resulting charcoal has a higher carbon content. For clearing the rhodendron we were eligible for a grant from the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and with the first instalment we were able to afford a small, Hookway retort that can produce up to 15kg of charcoal per burn. So far as we know we are the only producers of rhododendron charcoal in England and Wales. We sell it through local shops. More information about its qualities can be found in a study by Bangor University: Jenny Wong, Emma Youde, Bryan Dickinson and Mike Hale, Report of the rhododendron feasibility study, 2002, School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences University of Wales, Bangor
BioChar
Since starting to produce charcoal, we have sgtruggled to find a use for the pieces of charcoal that are too small to use on barbeques - the fines. After various false starts, with the skills of a local craftsman, a milling dfebvice enables these fines to be granulated for use as a soil conditioner - Biochar. It functions similarly to Pearlite and is an ideal additive to compost to help moisture and nutrient retention, as well as aerating heavier soils.
The Pond
The pond is a good example of a new habitat we want to develop. We have dammed the small stream that runs through the wood to create a small pond and have cleared some of the surrounding trees to let more light in. A opreviously bare piece of ground is now densely filled with flowering plants and bushes. This should be providing food sources for insects, frogs and other creatures who in turn would themselves be a food source, but the pond has all but disappeared, taken over by the plants. We need to dig it out further, extend the area of the pond and build a better dam.
Researching the History
The wood is classified as Ancient Woodland by Natural England, which means that it has been wooded since at least 1600. We know almost nothing about the history yet, but already we have found three small platforms cut into the hillside that could be old charcoal-makers' hearths. We thought that the wide presence of hazel coppice stools was part of this history, but have since learned that this and other Taw Valley woods were once extensively worked both for charcoal made primarily from coppiced oak. One of the by-products was to use the bark for leather tanning. Once we know more, we'd like to produce some information boards for visitors.