Coppice
Coppicing Britain started around 6,500 years ago. Humans began cutting the wildwood that has covered this land since the last Ice Age. Coppicing creates a habitat for a wide range of species, such as the Dormouse, who has become virtually dependent on it.
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In a well-managed coppice only one area (stand) is cut each year. This creates a diverse habitat of different layers. Because of this, you will see many different species of birds and butterflies.
The stump of the coppiced tree is called a ‘stool‛. The fences built around the newly cut coppice stools (stumps) are made from coppiced hazel. They are to prevent the deer and rabbits from eating the new hazel shoots. The coppice we are restoring has been neglected for many years. When coppice is left uncut the coppice stools become overgrown. The term for this is ‘overstood‛. Coppicing can extend a tree’s life by hundreds of years. Our coppiced woods provide our sustainable supply for crafts, courses and Forest School. |
