'nother noob

[MikeM]

hello all, I'm mike and I'm a noobie. Been allotmenteering for about 4 years now (tho had a terrible year this year). I was an accountant, but have given that up and hope to become a forester. I'm currently running a home business with my wife, and am starting a voluntary job as forester at the end of the month.
Erm, guess that's it for the mo, looking forwards to contibuting to the community in anyway I can.

[old tree man]

Hi mike
welcome to the ish i am still new myself hope you enjoy
all the best
Russ

[snapdragon]

Welcome in MikeM

hmm a forester eh?

<thinks- fuel for woodburning stove>

[MikeM]

Welcome in MikeM

hmm a forester eh?

<thinks- fuel for woodburning stove>

well, a goodly portion of my days currently are spent foraging for firewood (it's our main source of heat, sadly we're not set up for hotwater from it yet), and it's work I really enjoy. So I thought to myself, why not try and earn a living doing something I really like. Got a long way to go tho, and I'm sure I'll suffer a setback or two along the way. Still, that which doesn't kill me makes me stronger.

[red]

welcome Mike

[mauzi]

hi MikeM,

Welcome to the forum. I am new here as well but it is a great site with lots of friendly people. That is a bit of a change - an accountant to a forester - but I am all for people actually working in what they love. Look forward to hearing about your journey.

old tree man or MikeM could you explain what a forester actually does - Aussie here and not familiar with this trade.

[Millymollymandy]

Hi Mike and welcome!

[MikeM]

hi MikeM,


old tree man or MikeM could you explain what a forester actually does - Aussie here and not familiar with this trade.

it's a bit of an amorphous job title as it kinda depends where you're working. If it's a commercial forest then it'll be planting, tending then felling trees for timber production. Where I'm about to start soon is a National Trust property, so most of the work is amenity and conservation, wildlife habitiat etc, tho they also have a small commercial type set up as well.

[old tree man]

hi mike
forestry is a great proffession i did it for 30yrs and have had a wonderful life working all around our country, i have seen all the wildlife this country can offer many a time i have sat down eating my lunch watching deer and badgers slip past, fox cubs playing and hares boxing, i think the best was the low impact forestry ie selective thinning and pulling out the timber with horses you really get close to your horse they really enjoy interacting with you,i could go on for ever talking about it you will find it is a passion as well as a vocation good luck to you
all the best
Russ

[mauzi]

Thanks MikeM. Trying not to hijack the thread but it is such an interesting subject - so I will apologize if I am asking too many questions and getting off tract a bit. Sounds like a great job to have - a bit like our National Parks Rangers I think but on a commercial level.

Old Tree Man - wow, working with horses that way would be fantastic. I worked with horses most of my life (riding and coaching though) and only a little harness work. I wasn't aware that horses were still used in this way - fantastic. Hopefully we will get to hear some of your tales over time.

[Millymollymandy]

The guy we buy our firewood from works with horses - I haven't seen them in action though as it is too far away but sounds fascinating.

[MikeM]

Thanks MikeM. Trying not to hijack the thread but it is such an interesting subject - so I will apologize if I am asking too many questions and getting off tract a bit. Sounds like a great job to have - a bit like our National Parks Rangers I think but on a commercial level.

Old Tree Man - wow, working with horses that way would be fantastic. I worked with horses most of my life (riding and coaching though) and only a little harness work. I wasn't aware that horses were still used in this way - fantastic. Hopefully we will get to hear some of your tales over time.

well, we also have park rangers, and that may well be one route I'd like to go down, just have to see how things pan out.

OTM, sounds like you had a good working life, I am deeply envious (but motivated as well). That working with horses sounds great. And you're right about it being a passion, you sure don't do it for the money . And don't let me stop you talking, it's a million times more interesting than any work tales I could tell.

[Millymollymandy]

it's a million times more interesting than any work tales I could tell.

Oh come on, haven't you got any celebrity tax evasion, money laundering and interesting embezzlement stories to tell?

[mauzi]

[MikeM]

sadly, I spent most of my time working on various industrial estates in the S Herts area, didn't get to meet many schlebs. About the most interesting thing that ever happened was when my pen ran out of ink one time...