Shade tolerance of hazel to coppicing

[corylus]

We have some out of cycle hazel to coppice (biggest stems c8" dia but most smaller) on a 30degree south facing slope which currently has more than 50% high canopy cover in summer, of that about half is ash.

 

How much shade would you expect the stools to cope with and should they be reduced slowly with a few cuts over a few years or coppiced from the off?

[Rob Stringer]

Research has shown that hazel regrowth can survive with up to 40% canopy maximum but 10-20% canopy is better especially if you want commercially useable hazel rods. I'd coppice them all in one go, I find most stools will regrow even if they've been left for 50 years+.

[corylus]

Research has shown that hazel regrowth can survive with up to 40% canopy maximum but 10-20% canopy is better especially if you want commercially useable hazel rods. I'd coppice them all in one go, I find most stools will regrow even if they've been left for 50 years+.

 

That's great thanks but which research, do you have a reference?

 

The reason I ask is that we are having a WIGS management plan drawn up and I want to make sure we are 'watertight' on it.

[Ty Unnos]

This is useful:

 

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/FCIN056.pdf/$FILE/FCIN056.pdf

[corylus]

This is useful:

 

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/FCIN056.pdf/$FILE/FCIN056.pdf

 

Ta for that. I have the FC book he co-wrote in 2003 with Howe, but that is general silvicultural and management of coppice woodlands, so the hazel specific link will be very useful.

[hedgesparrow]

cut the hazel in a block rotation cutting a acre down at a time. if you have a lot. and cover with brash to stop rabbits and dear munching on new shoots.

will be ready to coppice again in 7 years. but if you cut the stools then cut lot down and sort out what you need to use. if no use for it then contact local coppice group see if any member would like to coppice to get materals out. i coppice nad if you do it in blocks it lets light in so the rest of the fauna has a chance to flourish.

[corylus]

cut the hazel in a block rotation cutting a acre down at a time. if you have a lot. and cover with brash to stop rabbits and dear munching on new shoots.

will be ready to coppice again in 7 years. but if you cut the stools then cut lot down and sort out what you need to use. if no use for it then contact local coppice group see if any member would like to coppice to get materals out. i coppice nad if you do it in blocks it lets light in so the rest of the fauna has a chance to flourish.

 

There are only about 60 stools, and it is only going to be 'conservation coppicing'.

 

I've never understood the idea of piling brash to stop rabbits. Every time we construct a brash pile it is occupied by bunnies within weeks. In areas of low rabbit population this may work, but not here.

 

No coppice groups nearby. We don't have much coppice in the North Pennines, but there is a move to get what we have back in cycle, partially due to the Yorks Dales National Park.

[woodyguy]

I think you have to make a distinction between hazel grown for commercial coppice vs hazel growing for wildlife and diversity. Sure if you want rods to sell then 20% cover is best to get the top quality. But hazel is tough stuff and will grow reasonably well with at least 50% cover. yes you may not get 30 strong rods per stool but it will still grow well. Depends largely on what you're trying to achieve.

[corylus]

It will be grown for wildlife and diversity as you put it. Can't see any commercial opportunity in harvesting off a 45 degree hillside 700ft up in the Pennines.

 

My main concern is stools not regrowing due to low light rather than good end product.

[woodyguy]

I've planted 350 hazel stools this winter in 30-60% oak shade in the Southern Pennines. I'm confident they'll be fine for wildlife but probably not for hurdle making! So I guess yours will grow fine.