Coppicing session 5

On this grey sort of a Saturday at the end of February, the crew were back in the coppicing area.

Cutting hazel

There were faint signs that spring might be approaching, but it was definitely still hat weather. About 15 volunteers braved the greyness and got to work cutting hazel.

Seeing the bluebells coming up and buds forming on the earliest of the trees, we knew that this would probably be the last session that we felled hazel in this coupe.

We put a lot of focus on stray trees that had been left in the middle of our work area for one reason or another. Some had been too close to other people working, some had just been skipped at random.

To let us do that, we didn't put as much effort into tidying up as we went as we normally do. We decided we'd cut as much as we could, and tidy up next time! We may regret this later...

Huge brash piles, and dealing with a holly tree

We did take some holly that was in our way - but for the most part we can handle holly at other times of year.

Tea time!

As usual, there was time for a tea break - this time using the dead hedge made in a previous session as table and chairs - it is actually very comfortable!

After tea, it was back to work around the edges of the coupe. A little more cutting, a little more processing, and a good bit more neatening up the hazel stumps to encourage regrowth as best we can.

Tidying up hazel stumps

The work this winter has made such a change, and it's so obvious when you look at the dense tangles just outside the work area! Fingers crossed the plants and insects all like their new space!