Explain how woodland management techniques have been or are currently employed in your locality, region or nation.
Relate each of them to the concept of sustainability and to what extent they provide opportunities to contribute to this.
Unit 1 – 4.1 Understand the Management of
Woodlands as a Sustainable Learning Environment
, Coppicing -Trees are cut close to the ground on a regular cycle. They regrow from
dormant buds at the base of the stump (known as the stool) to create dense stands of
multi-stemmed trees. The new stems grow back and provide a sustainable timber
supply rather than harvesting more mature, thicker branches.
Commonly oak, sweet chestnut, willow, lime, hornbeam, field maple, rowan, alder and
hazel can be coppiced
Once trees are growing vigorously they can be coppiced. This could be after 1-2
seasons but is usually 5-6 years (more in Scotland). The best time to coppice is late
September to early March when trees are dormant.: Hazel: 7 year cycle for hurdle
making, Sweet chestnut: 15 year cycle for fencing materials, Oak/hornbeam: 15-25
year cycle for firewood and building materials.
Cut single-stemmed trees as close to the ground as possible and already established
stools as close to the previous cut as possible.
Use any sharp tool suitable for the size of material you are felling. Make a clean cut
without separating bark from the wood. The cut should be sloped to throw off water and
avoid the stool rotting.
Protect stools from browsing mammals. New shoots are attractive to deer, rabbits, hare
and other livestock.
Use branches left on the ground after cutting (lop and top) to pile on the coppice stool;
be aware this may suppress regrowth or reduce the straightness of new stems.use lop
and top to build “dead hedges” around groups of stools. Put a 6 foot high fence in place
for a minimum of 2 years, until new shoots are out of reach of browsing animals. You
can rotate fencing to different coupes throughout your coppicing cycle.
Coppice woodland in blocks known as coupes. This allows light in to ensure coppice
stools regrow. The coupe size should relate to the rotation length. Divide the woodland
into equal blocks and coppice within each coupe on a one year cycle. Some well-formed
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