Track Improvements

[tracy]

Our internal tracks have recently taken some expected damage, as the tractor extracted some of the Oaks that we thinned.

You can see it here: http://peplers.blogspot.com/2008/04/walk-in-chestnut-coppice.html

We would really like to improve the tracks for future years - anyone got any experience in this?

If it is improving a track do we need permission?

Worth hiring a digger?

Do we put some hardcore in underneath to protect them?

Any thoughts or experience out there?

Tracy

[Darren]

I read somewhere that if you use a membrane you will need half as much crushed concrete and should save you time and money as well.

[tracy]

Thanks!

At the moment we are using silver birch brash, apparently it makes a bit of a membrane. You can see what we have been doing here:

http://peplers.blogspot.com/2008/05/track-repairs-again.html

[Darren]

Another idea is plastic honeycomb driveway much more pleasing to the eye but a lot dearer.

[Dennis]

Just found a publication called \"Managing Forest Roads\" on the FC website, available here:

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/ogb12.pdf/$FILE/ogb12.pdf

It starts with planning and building roads, and later moves on to maintenance. Whilst it\'s mostly for commercial forestry there are one or two things to pick up. Brash mats certainly look like a recommended way to cope with ruts.

[mikepepler]

That link\'s not right for some reason, there\'s a \"$\" missing, which doesn\'t display properly in the forum. It should be as below (you\'ll need to remove the space I\'ve put in after \"uk\" to make it work properly)

www.forestry.gov.uk /pdf/ogb12.pdf/$FILE/ogb12.pdf