What is coppicing?
Coppicing is a traditional way of managing woodlands. It involves cutting trees and shrubs down and allowing the roots to regrow.
This provides a crop of small diameter poles to be used in a huge range of useful ways.
This provides a crop of small diameter poles to be used in a huge range of useful ways.
What trees do we coppice?
Most broadleaved trees will coppice but the most widely used species are hazel, ash and sweet chestnut
Why is it good for woods?
If left to their own devises woodlands will gradually become very dark and the range of flora and fauna living in them will diminish.
Coppicing allows more light onto the ground making better habitat for plants and birds. It also make the woodlands more attractive for people to visit.
The group will only carry out work which is necessary to maintain and improve the ecological or public access value of the woodland. Any produce volunteers get is a bonus.
Coppicing allows more light onto the ground making better habitat for plants and birds. It also make the woodlands more attractive for people to visit.
The group will only carry out work which is necessary to maintain and improve the ecological or public access value of the woodland. Any produce volunteers get is a bonus.
Why is it good for you?
Coppicing is good for your physical and mental well-being. It provides healthy outdoor exercise in a sociable atmosphere. Research has shown that working in the natural environment reduces stress levels, reduces obesity and makes it less likely you will suffer from strokes and heart attacks.
Using wood to heat your house
Using wood to heat your house is good as it can reduce your dependence on fossil fuels and reduce your carbon emissions. Burning wood from local sustainable sources is the ideal situation as it minimises fuel miles. To burn wood efficiently it needs to be as dry as possible ideally less than 20% moisture content. This can only be achieved by air drying your logs for 1 to 2 year under cover. Even logs you buy from a shop or firewood merchant may not be dry enough to burn straight away.
Useful information about using wood for fuel including some excellent videos can be found on the Cumbria Woodlands Website
Useful information about using wood for fuel including some excellent videos can be found on the Cumbria Woodlands Website
