Is my coppice healthy?

[jamesfwpurdy]

Hi, * I have been coppicing an area of woodland for my parents and I have some concerns about the health of the first coupe. *As I'm new to coppicing I'd like to hear your comments and suggestions.

Firstly its an overstood hornbeam coppice on a plateau of weald clay in Sussex. The main bulk of the 2.5 acres runs south to north with the first coupe facing south. From speaking the the previous owner and looking at the stools, most of it hasn't been cut for over fifty years.

* I cut the first coupe in two stages over two winters as I was new to cutting and the usual new job, barn conversion all in one go so time and energy were limited. Most of the stools have survived, other than a few that I possibly cut too low or were a bit rotten. The ones I cut 2011/12 have got away to 80-150cm and 2012/13 20- 40 cms already. Inbetween the stools the are seedlings 10-40 cms in 11/12 and 2-4cm in the 12/13 section. Due to limited funds and PITA terrain we haven't fenced although arranging the brash over the stools offers them some protection from deer. * There is a dense covering of willow herb on the ground in the two year old patch. Im not sure if this is smothering the young shoots/saplings or providing them protection from deer and rabbits or nursing them to grow. * Ill add some pictures below to give you an idea of where we're at.

[hedgesparrow]

looks ok from photos if you cover stools with brash give it two years and its ok deer will not eat it as its going woody. only thing to keep a check on is brambles. but leave a bit as good wildlife cover just not let it get out of hand.

do not know much about hornbeam but hazel is cut every 7 years. to get the right wood. leave hazel and its to big for much.

[felixthelogchopper]

Try to fence it with brash rather than pile on top or you will encourage dormice etc which will eat the new shoots IIRC .

[Stubby]

Try to fence it with brash rather than pile on top or you will encourage dormice etc which will eat the new shoots IIRC .

 

Second that one .

[jamesfwpurdy]

That makes sense thanks guys. Will tidy up the brash asap.

[jmiller3]

just a question @hedge sparrow particularly regarding the too woody statement, surely each years new growth would still be tender and vulnerable? and a 7 year cycle would be dependant on the final product, if it was for firewood he wouldn't be cutting it at bean pole width and vice versa etc

[doobin]

James, those photos aren't from around Fernhurst near the stream are they?

[hedgesparrow]

just a question @hedge sparrow particularly regarding the too woody statement, surely each years new growth would still be tender and vulnerable? and a 7 year cycle would be dependant on the final product, if it was for firewood he wouldn't be cutting it at bean pole width and vice versa etc

 

once hazel has gone a wood colour then the dear do not like eating it its when its at the little green stage year 1 to 2 they like to munch. i have allways but brash over stools and rst of brash in piles for dormice to hibernate. late father in law did this and thats how i learned how to do it.

as for 7 year cycle for hazel thats is ideal for using it for doing most coppice things. like some bigger stuff for stakes. so leave some to grow bigger

[jamesfwpurdy]

Hi, nowhere near Fernhurst and no stream for a few hundred yards sorry. The cycle for Hb firewood is 15-35 years I think.

[doobin]

No worries, thought it looked familiar. Whats your excuse for being up this early?