Conflicting advice about coppicing alder

[spandit]

From What is coppicing? | coppice.co.uk

 

"...For example, common alder coppices poorly..."

 

From http://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/newsitefiles/2010/0410/Coppicing.pdf

 

"...a relatively few species like common alder which strongly coppice..."

 

In fairness, the first link is the only one that said it wasn't suitable for coppicing but with a domain name like that, you'd expect it to be an authority...

[Andy Collins]

On the occasions I have coppiced alder here in East Anglia, it has recovered well. I can't comment for other areas.

[Dave Alviti]

Not fully read the links but I've coppice tons of alder, lots of it massively over stood, and had almost 100% success with regrowth, can't comment too much on the longevity of the regrowth as most of this has been in the last 4 years but its all still going strong. I also know that all the riverbanks round my way (herefordshire/shropshire) used to be coppiced on a semi regular basis and most of it is alder. its only in the least 30 - 50 years that it has come out of rotation.

[Charlieh]

I have coppiced a lot even in summer and had good regrowth by winter! you want to let it get bigger than hazel/birch would normally be coppiced at but as a firewood coppice timber its great

[spandit]

That's why I'm planting such a high proportion!

[Graham]

I was always told the best time to cut it is August. We used to do a lot of waterside stuff and we cut in August if we could. No idea on the reasoning.

[woodyguy]

A. Glutinosa coppices very well, red alder not so well, grey alder when young and Italian alder when young.

[slack ma girdle]

Re-grows like billy-o in these here parts, 3-4' of regrowth in the first season.

[Stereo]

I felled a load of mature trees a few years back. Some died but most coppiced strongly and are well on the way to providing another crop. I'm sure that if they are initially coppiced when yang and strong, they would coppice readily. People have made fortunes out of alder coppice when charcoal was in big demand. I love it. Grows fast, dries quickly, splits readily and burns well. Alder coppice is what we should be planting on our flood planes.

[spandit]

For the £2 or so per tree, I'm prepared to take the risk if it dies following coppicing. Should at least nitrogenate the soil for other species and hopefully dry it up a bit.

 

I agree, more trees everywhere!