All through winter, we noticed that there was a lot of logging going on. Swaths of forest* are being cut (and will likely be replanted) and the woods on many smaller properties are being thinned out. The logs are cut into meter lengths and stacked in the new clearings where they once grew. Why? Ken heard from a neighbor that it's because companies are paying well for wood to turn into granulés (pellets) for home heating fuel.
France already has a policy in place that bans the installation of new oil-based heating systems after July 1 of this year. People will need to turn to alternatives like gas, solar, heat pumps and, of course, wood, either whole wood (not really practical in urbanized areas) or processed wood products like pellets. Those of us with existing fuel-oil systems can keep them, but when they reach the end of their useful lives, we will have to choose a new technology.
This is a photo of one of the Artsy Organized Neighbor's log piles. His older, darker logs are visible on the bottom of the stack, and the recently cut, light colored logs are on top. Log piles like this have popped up here and there in the woods around us. One nice thing is that the underbrush in many parcels has been cleared as well, making it easier for us to walk through. Until it grows back, of course.
*Many of the big forests around us are privately owned and managed for wood production, so this is nothing new. It's just that we're seeing more of it than usual.
That log pile is a work of art.
ReplyDeleteSeems like it would make sense to somehow have the new wood on the bottom, since one usually wants to burn more seasoned wood (but, of course, once the stack is already started, I guess there's no way to accomplish that).
ReplyDeleteI need to look into how those pellets work for heating. The next ten years will have lots of changes in fossil fuels I assume.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever met or seen your AON? I imagine him to be an interesting person.
ReplyDeleteBettyAnn
The climate where you are is not unlike the climate where I am, and heat pumps are the norm. They're efficient, provide AC in hot months, plus can be installed (usually) using existing ductwork from oil furnace systems. I'm told they're the least expensive method for France. Plus, no messy ashes to take out.
ReplyDeletemitch, that's why I call him "Artsy."
ReplyDeletejudy, I guess not. Maybe none of it will be used until the new wood is seasoned. He has other piles.
evelyn, true. We'll be doing research eventually to be prepared. Technologies can change a lot as the years go by.
bettyann, I think I've seen him a few times from a distance. Ken spoke to him once while walking the dog on his property. He didn't mind at all. He doesn't live on that land.
emm, we don't have ducts as ours is a hot water system with a boiler and radiators rather than a forced air furnace. I don't know if heat pumps work with those. Again, research!