On Tuesday 27th February the Hyndburn’s Woodlands Volunteers were at Huncoat East carrying out some coppicing work. Coppicing is an ancient form of woodland management that dates back to at least the Neolithic period of the UK.
Coppicing involves felling a tree back to it’s base to create a ‘stool’. From the stool, new shoots are sent out which eventually grow into thin poles. Poles can be left for a desired number of years to create the desired girth, which can be utilised for a variety of functions from basket weaving, wattle weaving, or even building construction.
During our session, we were coppicing hazel stools around the woods. After felling, some of the product was used to create ‘dragon’s nests’ which are circular barriers erected around the stool to deter browsing animals, such as deer, from consuming the new shoots.
The product was also used to make repairs to the dead-hedge established at Huncoat East a few years ago as an outdoor learning area.
Thank you to our volunteers for helping us maintain this traditional skill and our wonderful outdoor learning area.
Activity funded by Lancashire County Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, and the Windfall Fund.
