Experimental Coppice

[corylus]

A few years ago we planted up an area using 0.6m shelters (as specified by the grant providers). As there were a few deer about, nothing grew above the top of the shelters for 4 years, being constantly nibbled. Eventually after I repeatedly complained, we were given the money to re stake/shelter with1.2's. Within three years most of the trees had reached 8' and have continued to grow very strongly. This got me thinking!

 

Now what's this got to do with coppicing.....well just near this site, I am trying a little experiment. I planted c100 natives (5species) and have done so in .6m shelters. My thinking being that the rootstocks will continue to grow and strengthen (as above?) then when the time comes to cut to coppice, the new stems will get off to a very good start, protected of course.

 

Any validity in this approach or am I barking?

[woodyguy]

Not sure if I know what you're suggesting.

I presume you mean that growing above the tree shelter and getting nibbled back each year will lead to better growth than just growing away. In reality the plant needs photosynthetic material ie leaves, to grow roots and increase stem thickness.

I'd be surprised if your plants will grow better than if you'd used the 1.2m shelters.

Why not do it properly like your title, experimental and do half in 1.2m and half in .6m and see which make the best plants?

[corylus]

Understand the point re photosynthesis. But stem thickness did increase (seemingly normal) whilst nibbling took place.

 

As for using some 1.2s, there is thorny brash around some of the plot, in effect stopping higher browsing.

Edited December 16, 2013 by corylus

[coppiceer]

Forgive me, but I am a bit confused as to what you are trying to achieve. I congratulate you on experimenting but eventually you are going to have to coppice your trees and then the deer are going to devastate your crop.

 

Could I suggest that you continue with your 1.2m shelters until you have plenty of growth on your plants. Then, when you coppice them use all of the material to form a good dead-hedge around your experimental area. By good I mean a hedge at least 5' tall and 3' wide secured by a double-row of 2" posts.

 

Another exeriment that might work for the larger deer species is to dig out a ditch around the experimental area, throwing up the spoil to form a bank and then erecting your hedge on the top of that.

 

Deer are such a problem that it is worth the effort to find a way to exclude then from working coppice.

[corylus]

Cheers for the reply.

 

The trees when cut to coppice will be protected with 2"weld mesh surrounds. It is light gauge and secured with 3 or 4 light stakes. It is working very well on some other sites. It keeps deer, sheep and the many rabbits from causing problems, and is lots cheaper and I believe better than Jenguards, and less visually obtrusive.

 

As to surrounding stools with brash, I am not a fan as it creates wonderful shelter for bunnies, and we have zillions in the Dale. Try hedge laying and you soon see the damage.

Edited December 16, 2013 by corylus