Two weeks ago I was back in the woods felling timber. I was working with Dylan Walker of Artizans of Wood, (artizansofwood.co.uk) a local craftsman who specialises in creating sustainable, round-wood timber framed buildings. The trees to be felled were Western Red Cedar from Woolavington Down that Dylan would then convert and use on two local projects.

Western Red Cedar is fantastic, naturally durable timber that can provide a wide variety of materials for use in construction. These include cladding, framework, roof shingles, joists, and even wall plates. The timber that I was felling was to be used on two projects at nearby Botany Bay, a small strip of woodland and streams adjacent to the Seaford College Estate.

I felled 6 trees in total, with an average diameter at felling height of 60 cm. All of the felled timber will be utilized, apart from the very top section of the trees. The second lengths (8m) are to be used as bearers for a new bridge across the stream at Botany Bay. All the remaining timber will be milled and used in the construction of an outdoor classroom, round-wood timber framed, that will be used by local school children who come to learn about the local environment.

The photos below show one of the trees immediately after felling, and two of the bearers being loaded onto a trailer for transport to site.

The photo below shows the four bearers in place across the stream at Botany Bay.

It’s always a pleasure to work with Dylan, a true professional craftsman who is as passionate about trees and woodlands as I am, and who creates sustainable buildings and structures from local materials. What a legacy to leave behind, and a real pointer towards how all building and construction could be a lot more friendly towards the environment.