Coppicing

An area of the woods close to the gardens has been chosen for this and is about 0.7 hectares (1.7 acres) in size. Existing unusual and established species will be protected.

Two years ago some hazel trees in this area were laid and many of these have grown successfully but unfortunately there were not enough trees remaining to establish a new coppice and so new planting is necessary. Hazel will be the predominant new tree in the coppice, but to avoid a monoculture other useful trees will also be planted: 420 hazel, 100 small leaved lime and 70 silver birch. Hazel is pliable and good for garden poles, small fences and walking sticks. Lime is the perfect wood for carving with fine grain. Birch is a classic hard wood with a smooth texture ideal for furniture, tools and kitchen utensils.

Not all trees are suitable for coppicing because they must be able to grow back easily after being cut down. Oak cannot be coppiced for example and neither can pine. Coppicing is a very efficient method to produce wood because the tree's root system is retained allowing rapid regrowth. It is also very good for nature as the harvesting is less dramatic and the soil less disturbed so that wild flowers are not uprooted. The species chosen are ideal for this method.

Coppicing needs the woodland to be managed on cycles to produce the wood required. Hazel regrows quickly and can easily be propogated from cuttings and by laying/pleaching which makes it one of the easiest trees to manage this way. The length of time the tree is left to grow depends on the diameter of the wood that you want, for example garden poles might be ready in three years, but fencing posts would require at least seven.

In a few years time the wood grown in the coppice will be able to be used to provide fencing and other resources for use around the park as well as supporting crafting activities.

There is already an active and effective conservation group at Lesnes Abbey Woods, but more volunteers are needed to establish and then manage this coppice.

This map of the area shows were some coppiced trees were established in 2024. The orange trees consisting of multiple circles are original coppiced chestnuts, some over 200 years old.