November 2012
Coppicing is the age-old practice of cutting certain tree species back very low in order to encourage new growth.
For hazel, it's essential for the tree's health and many plants are centuries old having been continually coppiced. But if left, the tree will eventually grow to a height that cannot be supported by the root system. On falling there is good chance that rot will get into the base and the tree dies.
Coppicing is also good for biodiversity as light is allowed to reach the woodland floor, different species pop up. This is essentially because much of our woodland flora and fauna have evolved over the last couple of thousand years to fit in with traditional human management.
It's a winter job as it's important for the sap to be down in the roots when you cut the stems back.
Last February, along with a couple of friends, we cut back several hazel stools and a large willow, all of which is sprouting again.
This winter we are coppicing more of the hazel as good management practice and to give us a supply of quality rods in a few years time.
Coppicing is the age-old practice of cutting certain tree species back very low in order to encourage new growth.
For hazel, it's essential for the tree's health and many plants are centuries old having been continually coppiced. But if left, the tree will eventually grow to a height that cannot be supported by the root system. On falling there is good chance that rot will get into the base and the tree dies.
Coppicing is also good for biodiversity as light is allowed to reach the woodland floor, different species pop up. This is essentially because much of our woodland flora and fauna have evolved over the last couple of thousand years to fit in with traditional human management.
It's a winter job as it's important for the sap to be down in the roots when you cut the stems back.
Last February, along with a couple of friends, we cut back several hazel stools and a large willow, all of which is sprouting again.
This winter we are coppicing more of the hazel as good management practice and to give us a supply of quality rods in a few years time.
Looks drastic but the picture below, of the hazel coppiced last Feb. shows how quickly it grows back.
