Coppicing Wiltshire
Coppicing is one of the oldest and most sustainable forms of woodland and tree management in the UK, with a history stretching back thousands of years. Johnsons Arborist provides professional coppicing services to landowners, farmers, woodland managers and domestic clients across Melksham, Chippenham, Devizes, Calne, Trowbridge, Bath and the wider Wiltshire area.
All coppicing work is carried out by City & Guilds qualified arborists with a thorough understanding of traditional and modern woodland management techniques.
What is coppicing?
Coppicing involves cutting a tree back to near ground level, leaving a stump known as a stool. Rather than killing the tree, this stimulates the growth of multiple new shoots from the stool and root system, producing a crop of straight, fast-growing stems. These stems can be harvested on a rotation - typically every seven to twenty five years depending on the species and intended use - and the process repeated indefinitely.
A correctly managed coppiced tree can live far longer than an unmanaged specimen of the same species. Some coppice stools in the UK are thought to be hundreds or even thousands of years old.
Benefits of Coppicing - Why Coppice?
Coppicing offers a range of practical and environmental benefits:
Sustainable timber production - coppice produces a regular harvest of poles and stakes suitable for fencing, charcoal production, firewood and traditional crafts
Increased tree longevity - coppicing can significantly extend the life of a tree compared to leaving it unmanaged
Woodland biodiversity - a well managed coppice woodland supports a rich variety of wildlife, as the rotation of light and shade created by the cutting cycle benefits wildflowers, insects, birds and mammals
Landscape management - coppicing can be used to manage scrub encroachment, maintain open areas and keep woodland edges in good condition
Carbon storage - sustainably managed coppice woodland is an effective long term carbon store
Suitable Species
Which species can be coppiced?
Many native British tree species respond well to coppicing. The most commonly coppiced species include:
Hazel - the classic coppice species, producing straight pliable poles used for hurdles, thatching spars and garden structures
Sweet chestnut - produces durable cleft timber widely used for fencing and stakes
Ash - traditionally coppiced for tool handles, firewood and charcoal, though ash dieback has significantly reduced ash coppice across the UK in recent years
Willow - fast-growing and excellent for biomass, basket making and living structures
Field maple, hornbeam and lime - all respond well to coppicing and are commonly found in mixed coppice woodland
We will always advise on the suitability of your trees for coppicing before any work begins.
Wildlife and ecology
Coppicing and wildlife
A well managed coppice woodland is one of the richest wildlife habitats in the British Isles. The cutting cycle creates a mosaic of open ground, young regrowth and mature canopy that supports a wide range of species. Woodland wildflowers such as bluebells and wood anemones thrive in the increased light following cutting, while the dense regrowth provides nesting habitat for birds such as nightingales and warblers.
We are happy to discuss the ecological implications of any coppicing work and can advise on timing to avoid disturbing nesting birds and other protected species.
AREAS WE COVER
Coppicing Across Wiltshire
We provide coppicing services across Wiltshire and the surrounding area, including:
Melksham and surrounding villages
Chippenham and Corsham
Calne and the surrounding area
Devizes and surrounding villages
Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon
Bath and surrounding area
Marlborough and the Vale of Pewsey
Warminster and Westbury
FAQ’S
Frequently Asked Questions
Is coppicing the same as pollarding?
No - coppicing cuts the tree back to near ground level, while pollarding cuts it back to the trunk or a framework of main branches at a height above ground. Both techniques stimulate regrowth but produce very different results and are used in different situations.
Will coppicing kill my tree?
No - when carried out on suitable species at the right time of year, coppicing stimulates vigorous regrowth rather than killing the tree. In fact coppicing can significantly extend a tree's lifespan.
When is the best time of year to coppice?
Coppicing is best carried out in late winter or early spring when the tree is dormant, typically between November and March. This timing reduces stress on the tree, minimises the risk of disease and avoids disturbing nesting birds.
What can coppice timber be used for?
Depending on the species and the rotation length, coppice timber can be used for firewood, charcoal, fencing stakes and rails, thatching spars, hurdles, bean poles and a range of traditional crafts and garden structures.
Do I need permission to coppice my trees?
If your trees are subject to a Tree Preservation Order or sit within a conservation area, you will need prior consent from the local authority before any work can be carried out. We handle this process on your behalf. For trees in woodland, a felling licence from the Forestry Commission may also be required for larger scale operations.
Get a Free Quote for Tree Coppicing in Wiltshire
Contact Johnsons Arborist today for a free, no obligation visit and quote. We cover Melksham, Chippenham, Devizes, Calne, Trowbridge, Bath and the surrounding areas of Wiltshire.