Coppicing is an ancient form of woodlot management that was widely practiced in Europe for thousands of years and is now experiencing a revival of interest around the world.
Coppicing is the practice of cutting young trees back almost to ground level to harvest the wood. The tree regenerates from shoots and suckers growing from the roots and is allowed to grow to the desired size and maturity before being cut back again.
Coppiced woodlands are traditionally harvested in sections called coupes in rotations of anywhere from 6 to about 25 years. These rotations ensure at least one coupe will be harvested every year. Coppiced trees live for very long times because coppicing resets the aging process of the tree. In Britain, there are coppiced woodlots that have been producing steadily for 800 years and individual trees believed to be over 1000 years old.
The benefits of coppicing include:
- A renewable, carbon neutral source of energy. Coppiced woodlots were the primary source of firewood and charcoal for energy in many areas of Europe for thousands of years. Thanks to improvements in technology such as high-efficiency wood stoves and advanced wood combustion power plants, wood is now regaining its former prominence as a clean and renewable energy source.
- Improved soil and water quality. Because the root systems are preserved, coppiced woodlots experience little or no erosion compared to conventional forestry methods and annual crops. In fact, if left in place, leaf matter and other organic debris can actually build soil. Coppiced woodlots also tend to be drought and flood resistant, and improve ground and surface water quality through natural filtration.
- Coppicing preserves natural woodlands. Because coppiced woodlands are so productive, they can relieve harvesting pressure on natural woodlands.
- Multi-aged stands benefit wildlife. Because coppiced woodlots are harvested in rotation, they promote a diverse woodland environment, improving wildlife habitat for many species.
- Carbon sequestration. Although trees in general are carbon neutral, coppicing can actually be used to sequester carbon in the soil due to root die-back after cutting back trees.
Almost any broadleaf tree can be coppiced, though some are stronger than others. Common products from coppiced woodlands include:
- timber
- post and rail fencing
- picket fencing
- garden stakes
- bean poles
- rustic furniture
- cordwood
- woven baskets
- charcoal
The most common mast-producing trees to be coppiced include hazel, chestnut, and oak. In addition to wood and charcoal products, mast-producing tree coppices can also produce nuts that can be eaten, sold, or used as livestock feed. The newly developed woody agriculture system uses intensively managed hazel and chestnut coppices to produce crop yields per acre that rival or even exceed those of annual crops, in addition to wood products.
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