Coppice

Coppice

Definition: Coppice

Coppice: Coppice /k?pis/ noun an area of trees which have been cut down to near the ground to allow shoots to grow which are then harvested. The shoots may be used as fuel or for making products such as baskets or fencing. verb to cut trees down to near the ground to produce strong straight shoots Coppiced wood can be dried for use in wood-burning stoves. Compare pollard COMMENT: The best trees for coppicing are those which naturally send up several tall straight stems from a bole, such as hazel and sweet chestnut. In coppice management, the normal cycle is about five to ten years of growth, after which the stems are cut back. Thick stems are dried and used as fuel, or for making charcoal. Thin stems are used for fencing. Cash aid under the set-aside scheme could be used for short-rotation energy coppicing. Implementing coppicing practices provides sustainable wood production and enhances forest management.