Coppicing

Coppicing is a traditional woodland management technique that involves cutting trees or shrubs down to near ground level on a cyclical basis. This stimulates the growth of numerous new shoots from the cut stump or "stool." Over time, these shoots mature into stems, which are then harvested in future coppicing cycles.

The practice has been used for centuries to provide a sustainable supply of wood products, such as firewood, poles, stakes, and materials for crafts and construction. Coppicing allows for repeated harvests from the same tree without the need for replanting, making it a highly resource-efficient method.

The cycle length, or rotation, varies depending on the species of tree, the desired product, and the local environmental conditions. Shorter rotations (e.g., 1-5 years) are typically used for producing small-diameter materials, while longer rotations (e.g., 10-30 years) are more suitable for larger poles and timber.

Benefits of coppicing include:

• Sustainability: Provides a renewable source of wood products.
• Biodiversity: Creates a diverse habitat structure with varying levels of light and vegetation, benefiting a wide range of plant and animal species.
• Soil Conservation: Helps to prevent soil erosion by maintaining a continuous ground cover.
• Carbon Sequestration: While trees are cut, the root systems remain intact, and new growth rapidly absorbs carbon dioxide.
• Flood Control: Coppice woodlands can help to reduce the risk of flooding by intercepting rainfall and slowing down runoff.

Coppicing is often used in conjunction with other woodland management techniques, such as pollarding (cutting trees at a higher level above the ground) and standard woodland management (allowing some trees to grow to full maturity). Different species respond differently to coppicing; common trees managed in this way include hazel, willow, ash, and oak.