People who know #Ransfords will know that we have a policy of zero waste. Day in, day out, every part of every log that comes into our mill is used. Sawdust and woodchips which are generated as the timber is processed have several uses – as does the tree bark. So, when logs like the ones we saw being harvested from local forests in recent posts come in to the mill, they are debarked before going in to the mill proper. Larger chunks of bark become landscape mulches that suppress weeds or play surfaces that provide a soft landing for children jumping off play equipment. The smaller bits and the bark dust that is generated in the debarking process are collected, mixed with other ingredients (including sawdust!) composted and turned into peat-free compost in which more trees and shrubs are grown. Our picture shows one of these huge piles of fine bark at the mill being turned to keep it at the right temperature.
The family that owns Ransfords also part-owns a company known as Melcourt which produces a wide range of peat-free composts for gardeners – most famously SylvaGrow® which holds a Royal Warrant and which is endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society. Melcourt’s compost is also used by many of the UK’s leading commercial nurseries who, between them, grow millions of trees and shrubs annually for onward sale in garden centres and for use in public landscaping. Some of the trees which are planted to form the forests of tomorrow are also started off in this peat-free compost, the harvested trees thus helping to nurture their replacements. We’ll say it again: that’s an extremely virtuous circle!