Coppice stools1/14/2024 ![]() Size alone is a poor indicator of veteran status, as different species may have different rates of growth or natural life spans. ![]() For example, a tree may be regarded as a veteran due to great age great age relative to others of the same species, existing in an ancient stage of life or due to its biological, aesthetic or cultural interest. The term veteran tree is not precisely defined, as various criteria may determine the veteran status of an individual tree when compared to others. Whilst the mapping and management of veteran trees is not as comprehensive as archaeological features, there are several organisations holding and collating data and providing management advice (see other sources ofinformation). Otherveteran tree data is alsoheld byorganisations such as The veteran tree initiative, treefest and others. Many forest districts are now mapping their veteran trees into GIS. Conversely, in areas of historic parkland, estates, and some royal forests, high densities are still found. Veteran trees do not have an even distribution throughout Britain in some areas they can be very sparse. Britain has more veteran trees than most countries in Europe, andtheir conservation is ofinternational interest. Veteran trees may support a wide range of fauna and fugal bodies, many of which are only associated with long periods of continuity in their habitat. However, unlike most other heritage features, these trees also have an added ecological value. They vary widely in species and physically take many forms such as coppice, pollard, stubb, maiden or a phoenix regeneration. Many trees are indicators of past land management and use. Sometimes you may find it necessary to cut higher first, then trim back.Compared to many historic environment features, veteran/ancient trees are often forgotten parts of our cultural heritage and many are not recorded or actively managed. Angle the cut 15 to 20 degrees from the horizontal, with the low point facing out from the stool center. Make one cut about 2 inches (5 cm.) above the point the branch grows out of the stool. Then, you work from one side of the stool to the center, cutting the most accessible poles. ![]() The next step in coppicing techniques is to prune away dead or damaged shoots. The procedure for coppicing first requires you to clear out foliage around the base of the stool. The smaller wood pieces were also used for firewood, charcoal, furniture, fencing, tool handles, and brooms. Usually, the coppiced trees grow more in their second year, then growth slows dramatically in their third.Ĭoppice products used to include ship planking. Oak and lime grow sprouts that reach 3 feet (1 m.) in their first year, while the best coppicing trees – ash and willow – grow much more. The weakest are beech, wild cherry, and poplar. The strongest broad leaves to coppice are: Generally, broadleaf trees coppice well but most conifers do not. Not all trees are plants suitable for coppicing. This can be carried out over and over again for several hundred years. The sprouts that arise are allowed to grow until they are of the correct size, and then are harvested and the stools allowed to grow again. Sprouts grow from dormant buds on the cut stump, known as a stool. Coppicing trees provided a constant supply of logs of a size that could be easily handled.Įssentially, coppicing is a way of providing a sustainable harvest of tree shoots. The practice of coppicing pruning was particularly important before humans had machinery for cutting and transporting large trees. What is Coppicing?Ĭoppicing pruning has been around since Neolithic times, according to archaeologists. Read on for more information about coppicing trees and coppicing techniques. The shoots are left to grow for a certain number of years and then are cut, starting the entire cycle again. It is often done to create renewable wood harvests. The word ‘coppice’ comes from the French word ‘couper’ which means ‘to cut.’ What is coppicing? Coppicing pruning is trimming trees or shrubs in a way that encourages them to sprout back from the roots, suckers, or stumps.
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