Bushcraft Essentials

Live wilderVisual tree assessment

Step by step

Choose a tree that is easy to access, where you can clearly see its roots, trunk, branches and leaves.
Start with the roots, looking for any that are exposed, cut or damaged, and checking for soil heaving or fungi growing nearby. Inspect the trunk, checking the bark is continuous, looking for cracks, splits, holes or cavities, noting whether the tree is leaning, and checking for any oozing sap or unusually dark, wet patches.
Look at the branches, checking for darker patches, sparse leaves, large broken or dangling branches, or branches that cross and rub against each other.
Check the leaves, looking for a healthy amount appropriate to the season, any discolouration or spots, and any wilting or early leaf drop.
Finally, look for signs of insect damage, holes, larvae, or unusual growths such as burls or galls.

The full Wilding activity guide (what you need, safety, variations and questions to wonder about): re-wild.co.uk/g/visual-tree-assessment/
Bushcraft Essentials · re-wild.co.uk

Live wilderPreparing an emergency action plan

Step by step

An emergency action plan sets out what you will do if something goes wrong, so you do not have to work it out under pressure.
Before you head out, write down the name of the place, its nearest postcode, a grid reference and a what3words address for where you will be.
Note the best access point for an ambulance and the route from there to your site.
Check whether you have a phone signal, and if not, where the nearest signal is.
Write down who to call, including the emergency services on 999 or 112, your emergency contact and, if you are with a group, your organisation.
Note the location of the nearest accident and emergency department.
List who is with you and any medical needs.
Keep a copy with your first aid kit and leave another with someone at home, along with the time you expect to be back.

The full Wilding activity guide (what you need, safety, variations and questions to wonder about): re-wild.co.uk/g/preparing-an-emergency-action-plan/
Bushcraft Essentials · re-wild.co.uk

Live wilderPredicting rain

Step by step

Before you check a forecast, read the signs around you.
Look at the clouds.
High, wispy mare's tails thickening into a milky sheet often mean rain within a day, while low, dark, heavy bases mean rain is close.
Look for a halo around the sun or moon.
Feel the wind, noticing whether it is strengthening or changing direction.
Notice the air, since many scents grow stronger and distant sounds carry further before rain.
Look at the plants, where pine cones close, and daisies, dandelions and scarlet pimpernel shut their flowers.
Watch the animals, where swallows and swifts feed low, and bees stay close to the hive.
Write down your prediction and the signs you based it on, then check it against what happens.

The full Wilding activity guide (what you need, safety, variations and questions to wonder about): re-wild.co.uk/g/predicting-rain/
Bushcraft Essentials · re-wild.co.uk

Live wilderEstimating wind speed & the risk

Step by step

Find a safe, sheltered spot in a woodland or similar area to begin your assessment.
Stand still and notice whether you can feel the wind on your face.
Look at the leaves on nearby trees and plants, noting whether they are still, gently rustling, or being blown about.
Watch the smaller branches, then the whole tree, noting how much movement you see.
Hold out your hand or turn your face into the wind to judge its strength directly.
Compare what you have seen against a Beaufort scale chart to estimate the wind speed. It runs from completely calm with still leaves, through light and moderate breezes with swaying branches, up to strong winds where whole trees sway and walking becomes difficult.

The full Wilding activity guide (what you need, safety, variations and questions to wonder about): re-wild.co.uk/g/estimating-wind-speed-and-the-risk/
Bushcraft Essentials · re-wild.co.uk