sue

[sue bridger]

Hi i have just registered after asking google - How do you coppice hazel prperly?
There's lots of information about hazel.frequency of coppicing but not a first timers guide that i can find. On entering the forum i find that there sre some experts out there so i would appreciate any advice. Thanks

[buzfuz8149]

Hi Sue,

a warm welcome to WAB, if you have a lot to coppice, have you considered asking around if there is a local stick makers club, our local club arranges days to go and cut the Hazel, we tidy up and of course take the sticks away, we do this on a rotation so everyone is happy. Looking forward to more posts.

Carol.

[juliejam]

Hello Sue ..Welcome to WAB..looking forward to seeing you around the forum ...


Julie

[big bill]

Hello Sue and welcome top the site no doubt someone will help with your query enjoy the site

[agrumpycow]

Hi Sue,

I help out at my local nature reserve and one of the things we do is coppice the hazel and alder.
I'm not an expert by any means but if I can help with any specific questions I'd be glad to.

[naturelover]

hiya sue, welcome to the forum.

[Marshall Stax]

Hi Sue and welcome to the site.

If you do decide to do this for yourself make sure that when you coppice the tree you cut it above the basal wood, which is the swollen areas around the base of the trunk. Once you have done this the new shoots should grow fairly quickly and once they reach the size you are after and as long as you are in the trees dormant period, you can again cut each of the shoots above their swollen sections. New shoots will continue to grow after each cut, so the process can be repeated and eventually you will end up with a large stump that is known as the stool.

The best thing for you to do is fell the tree above the stump height you wish to keep and then cut the stump down to the size, making sure to always stay above the swollen section at the base. This way you will reduce the chance of damaging the stump section when the main body of the tree falls.

The tree size will make a difference to how easy you find the process, so you might want to consider getting someone in to do at least the first cut for you, especially if the tree is larger than you feel comfortable with or is in a location that makes the first cut difficult or dangerous.

Hope this helps a bit.

David

[ron1863]

Welcome to WAB

[Deer Stalker]

Hi Sue.

[rlchew]

Hello Sue

Welcome to WAB.

It's amazing the number of people who ask a question in Google and find there way here .

Richard

[sue bridger]

thanks for welcome
Long reply from david was most useful
The hazels we have are not large so will be able to cut - seeimportant bit is to go above base swelling thanks.
Is now a dormant time - lots to learn !
Cheers

[Marshall Stax]

It’s usually ok to coppice between October and March but avoid doing it when there are frosty spells.

David