Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2012/January 2013 | Page 72
COUNTRY LIFE
THE ART OF
COPPICING
by Jamie Marsh, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Coppicing is a long established
woodland management technique
utilising the regeneration power of
broadleaved species. Trees are cut to
near ground level and the following
year the cut stool throws up new
shoots which are then left to develop
to the desired age for use either as
a product or for the purposes of
biodiversity. Woodlands are split
into “Coups” an area that is cut on
a rotational basis to suit the desired
produce or for the biodiversity of the
area. Traditionally this was all done by
hand utilising tools such as bowsaws,
billhooks and froes.
Coppicing can produce high yields
of timber from relatively small
woodlands. Coppice produce was
essential during the 18th and 19th
Century providing charcoal for the
smelting of iron and thus fuelling the
Industrial Revolution. However this
was also the beginning of the decline
of the art of coppicing, as society
developed modern, more efficient
techniques and materials that were
longer lasting and more effective.
During the 20th Century many
of our coppice woodlands became
unviable and were lost or abandoned.
Forestry changed and conifers
became the new “crop”, fast straight
growing trees suitable for a range
of uses. However over the last few
decades there has been a resurgence
in woodland management and the art
of coppicing. Today, we have a much
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better understanding of the value
of coppice for biodiversity and this
has been one of the main drivers for
restarting coppicing in our woodlands.
The wildlife value of coppice
woodland is immense. A well managed
coppice has coups of various ages
from newly felled clearings to mature
coppice or non-intervention areas.
the ground stimulating the growth of
woodland flora including Bluebells,
Wood anemone, Wood sorrel and
Violets. These provide nectar and
food for many invertebrates which in
turn attract birds and mammals. Edge
habitat is very important and created
when cleared areas are next to mature
coppice. It creates ideal habitat for
Coppice coupe at Eaglehead
This means a range of habitats suitable
for a huge number of species. By
coppicing on rotation you are ensuring
continuity of these habitats and thus
continuing to provide suitable habitat
for a range of species. The age of
coppice for wildlife is important and
the rotation cycle needs to be carefully
considered for the species present.
Newly cleared areas are fantastic
for flora and invertebrates. When an
area is cleared the sunlight warms
nesting birds, areas for clematis and
honeysuckle to grow and habitat for
specialist butterflies such as White
admiral and Silver wash fritillary who
like dappled shade. Mature coppice is
great for mosses and lichen, its craggy
nature makes it good for fungi and any
holes are utilised by birds and bats.
The Isle of Wight has a number of
amazing coppice woodlands many
of which are accessible via public
footpaths, bridleways and permissive