Coppicing

The Dorset Coppice Group seeks to raise the public awareness of the valuable tradition of coppicing in the country by highlighting the link between the use of locally produced coppice products and the resulting conservation of the woodlands from which they come.
The aims of the group are as follows.
1) Providing a directory detailing each members products and activities.
2) Forming a bridge between the industry, landowners, and other relevant agencies.
3) Promoting the industry and its products to the public through representation in the press and at shows.
4) Providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information between members.

About The Group
The Dorset Coppice Group was formed out of the Wessex Coppice Group. In late 1999 a number of coppice woodmen in the county decided that a local group was needed to promote the industry and its products. Some coppice workers tend to lead quite isolated lives, often tucked away deep in the woods with few people knowing of their existence, some travel daily to the same woodland that they have worked all their lives, while others work in a different wood each season.
But whatever our lifestyle we are all committed to promoting the coppice industry and to informing landowners of the importance of having the traditional coppice woodlands firmly back in production
An elected committee of five members runs the group and meets six times a year. The committee comprises a Chairman, Treasurer and three others who between them administer the group and deal with the enquiries/orders of coppice products.
Members meet quarterly at different locations in the county where guest speakers cover topics ranging from the ecology of the woodlands to business advice. In its first year of existence the Dorset Coppice Group managed to secure binding to provide subsidised chainsaw training to those with Full membership
The group produces a directory of members detailing their activities and products which is available to the public, and through representation at country shows and farmers markets etc. the group aims to increase the publics awareness of the issues surrounding coppicing
In addition four newsletters a year are sent to members and a number of organisations with an interest in the coppice industry. Members are encouraged to submit articles, photographs, etc. for publication.
Associate membership is available to individuals or organisations who, although not earning their income from coppice woodlands, do have an interest in coppice and wish to support the group and its aims.

The Background
Coppicing woodlands is a truly sustainable practice involving the harvesting of the undervvood species i.e. hazel; while maintaining the higher canopy through the careful stewardship of larger standards such as oaks.
For thousands of years man has made good use of this natural resource, discovering that many rods would grow from the stump of a tree he had previously felled Coppice stumps or stools are completely self renewing and capable of living indefinitely as lone as they are not overshadowed by timber trees.
In numerous Dorset woodlands there are stools up to a thousand years old This is a completely sustainable form of management as in many cases these stool; are as productive now as when first coppiced.
It can be stated that our woodmen forefathers were the first tree conservationists; harvesting poles yet preserving their woodlands without the need for planting.
Dorset has a particularly strong connection with this type of woodland, as a glance at any local map will reveal with
the prevalence of woods named "Coppice".
However, a closer inspection of such named woods exposes an alarming trend with many historic coppice sites in the county now being seriously neglected or worse grubbed out.
The reason for this decline can be attributed to a loss in the traditional market for coppice products, due to changes in tastes, the plastic revolution and cheap poor quality imports.
The woodmen of Dorset are seeking to reverse this process through the promotion or their skills and the products they supply.

"A WOOD THAT PAYS IS A WOOD THAT STAYS"

The Future
The majority of our native and naturalised hardwood trees can be coppiced. These include hazel, ash, oak, birch and chestnut which can be converted into a range of products encompassing; fencing, furniture, firewood, walking
sticks, thatching spars and charcoal.
The members of the Dorset Coppice Group as well as producing the above, continue to develop new innovative designs for the home and garden
There is a direct link between the purchase and use of these products and the conservation of the wonderful habitats that coppice woodlands provide
Almost every wood of which the coppice stools still remain is worth preserving, normally re-coppicing a the best conservation policy fur it brings to life the traditional working; of the wood and all its plants and animals.
Broadleaved woodlands represent the Most diverse collection of plants and animals in any habitat outside the tropics, and the cyclical nature of coppice growth is vital to countless forms of wildlife ecosystems.
Newly cut coppice provides sunlight to the woodland floor which is required by many species of flowers, such as bluebells, and butterflies; whereas growth from the stools over the following few years provide, an ideal habitat for many species of birds, including thrushes, finches, warblers and nightingales.
After a number of years however, coppice becomes overgrown and dark leading to a decline in wildlife, therefore requiring the cutting process to start once again.
So providing the coppice work is undertaken sympathetically with due care for the numerous habitats, it can be stated that the best way to protect these unique and precious environments is to have a healthy and thriving coppice industry.
For further information contact. The Chairman, Jack Beckett, 1 Lower Clenston Cottages, Winterborne Clenston, Blandford, Dorset, England, DT11 0NY. Tel 01258 881387

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