Coppicing is a traditional woodland management practice that encourages the prolific, multi-stemmed regrowth of a tree from its base. This technique involves cutting a tree close to the ground to create a permanent stump, known as a stool. The process exploits the tree’s natural ability to regenerate, producing a sustainable source of wood material without replanting. Regularly performed, coppicing maintains the tree in a state of perpetual youth, allowing a single root system to survive for centuries.
Identifying Suitable Species and Optimal Timing
Coppicing relies on a tree’s capacity to activate dormant buds located near the root crown and beneath the bark. Only deciduous hardwood species possess the necessary tissue to survive and thrive after such a severe cut. Common examples include Hazel, Willow, Ash, Sweet Chestnut, and Oak.
The timing of the cut is important for success, directly influencing the tree’s survival and vigor. Coppicing must be performed during the dormant season, typically spanning from late autumn after leaf drop to late winter or very early spring. During this period, the tree has withdrawn the majority of its energy reserves, such as starches and sugars, from the canopy and stored them in the roots.
Cutting the tree while energy is stored underground ensures it has the fuel necessary to produce vigorous shoots when the growing season begins. Conversely, cutting during the active growing season depletes the tree’s energy supply, often leading to a weakened response or death of the stool. Minimal sap flow in the dormant season also reduces the risk of excessive sap bleeding, which can attract pests or introduce pathogens.
Executing the Coppice Cut
Before making the cut, the work area must be cleared of debris and brush to ensure a clean, unobstructed workspace. Necessary tools include a sharp handsaw or chainsaw for larger stems and loppers or a billhook for smaller material. Always prioritize safety by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, including eye protection and sturdy gloves.
The cut must be made close to the ground, leaving a stump, or stool, between two and four inches (5 to 10 cm) high. This height protects the newly forming buds while minimizing the surface area exposed to moisture and decay. The angle of a proper coppice cut should be sloped between 15 and 45 degrees from the horizontal.
This downward slope prevents rainwater from pooling on the cut surface, which would otherwise promote fungal growth and wood rot. The lowest point of the angled cut should face away from the center of the stool to facilitate water runoff. Ensure the cut surface is clean and smooth, as jagged or splintered edges create entry points for disease organisms and pests.
Maintaining the Stool and Managing Regrowth
Removing the canopy triggers the tree’s biological survival mechanism, releasing growth hormones that activate the dormant buds on the stool. These activated buds rapidly develop into multiple, fast-growing stems, drawing on the extensive root system that previously supported a single trunk. This severe pruning diverts the tree’s stored root energy into producing these new shoots.
Once the shoots emerge, protection of the stool is important, as the tender regrowth is appealing to grazing animals like deer and rabbits. Browsing damage can severely weaken or kill a young stool by repeatedly stripping away its foliage. Erecting a temporary fence, often six feet high for deer, or creating a brush pile barrier around the stool for the first two years ensures successful regeneration.
Coppicing is a cyclical process, with the time between cuts known as the rotation length. This period is determined by the species and the intended use of the wood product. Hazel might be harvested on a seven-year rotation for fencing materials. Oak or Sweet Chestnut for firewood or larger poles may require a 15- to 25-year cycle. Repeated cutting on a regular rotation keeps the stool healthy and vigorous, allowing it to produce a sustainable harvest indefinitely.