Coppice Design and Coppicing Techniques: Best Trees To Be Coppiced

Kim Williamson, Author 8 Billion TreesWritten by Kim Williamson

Forestry, Trees and Tree Planting | December 29, 2023

Man looks at trees for coppice design and coppicing techniques including the best coppice trees for coppicing and pollarding and how to prune tree to create a coppice.

A coppice is a grove of trees or woody plants that have been cut to ground level to maintain the vigor of the tree and encourage new growth that can be repeatedly harvested.

In fact, coppicing has a rich history of this arboricultural practice, and this complete guide examines both its advantages and disadvantages.

It also explores different coppicing techniques, how to maintain a coppice over time, and how to identify the best trees for coppicing so that you can create your own thriving, healthy trees.

Best Trees To Coppice for Lumber

Historically, the primary reason for coppicing woodland areas was to obtain wood that could be used for fuel and lumber. Oak trees (Quercus) are excellent sources for larger coppiced timber.24

Oak species grow some of the best quality lumber for construction purposes, but they are slow-growing and are usually coppiced on a 35 to 50-year cycle. Ash trees (Fraxinus) have also been used for large coppiced lumber and firewood over the years.20

Unfortunately, ash species have been heavily impacted in recent years by the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), and there is not a lot of evidence to suggest that diseased ash trees can be coppiced successfully.20 Fast-growing tree species, such as alder trees (Alnus) – coppiced on a four to six-year rotation – and willow trees (Salix) – coppiced on a three to four-year rotation – are often grown for coppice in wetter areas.21,22

The coppiced stems can be used in smaller projects – such as basket weaving – or as firewood or mulch.1,13 The black locust tree (Robinia pseudoacacia) is a nitrogen-fixer and aggressive grower with strong, hardwood.

The wood of this species has multiple potential uses, from fuel to construction.23 It is important to note that the black locust can become weedy or invasive and may be restricted in some areas of the U.S., so research before planting and be prepared to manage and maintain a black locust copse.8

Some nut trees, such as hazel (Corylus) and chestnut (Castanea) are also terrific candidates for coppicing. Beech trees (Fagus), birch trees (Betula), and elm trees (Ulmus) are other commonly coppiced tree varieties.

The American hornbeam tree (Carpinus caroliniana) is a native tree species that produces a hard, slow-burning wood that is perfect for firewood and charcoal.7,13

Best Trees To Coppice for Ornamental Value

In recent years, coppicing has grown popular for its ornamental value. Many small trees and subshrubs can be coppiced in late winter to encourage new, dense spring growth which can result in vibrant colorful stems through the following winter. Some of these species include:8

  • Dogwood (Cornus)
  • Redbud (Cercis)
  • Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
  • Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria)

Coppicing is a woodland management technique that creates diverse wildlife habitats, renewable resources, sustainable energy, and high-quality, versatile timber. Throughout the ages, it has served many functions, such as in construction, weaponry, fencing, firewood, and livestock grazing.

Which Trees Are Suited for Coppicing?

Perhaps the most important topic in a discussion of coppicing is which trees are suited for this method of hard pruning.

Only a subset of trees can survive the process of coppicing, and the proportion of these which actually thrive after coppicing is relatively small.

The following are characteristics of trees that make them more likely to respond well to coppicing.8

  • Deciduous: Trees that are deciduous are typically more suited to coppicing than evergreens.
  • Shrub-like: Shrub-like and subshrub trees with multiple stems are often excellent candidates for coppicing.
  • Suckering: Trees that send out rhizomes, stolons, and root suckers are usually fast growers and incredibly resilient, making excellent coppice trees.
  • Minimal Bleeding: Trees that ooze less sap will usually tolerate coppicing more easily.
  • Non-flowering: While flowering trees can often be coppiced, it may take several years for the bloom density to recover. When coppicing flowering trees, pay attention to whether the tree blooms from new or old growth.
    If it blooms from old growth, it can take several years for it to bloom again after coppicing.

What Is Coppicing?

The term “coppice” may have a familiar ring to it, particularly for individuals who read classic English literature, but how many of those same people would be able to explain what a coppice is? A fair few perhaps, but others would find themselves stumped and justly questioning “What is coppicing?”

The University of Washington Botanical Gardens blog describes coppicing as an age-old practice in arboriculture which involves the cutting of a woody plant (a tree, bush, or shrub) down close to the ground to encourage new growth.12 The remaining, near ground-level stump, is still very much alive, and it is called a “stool.”

New buds that form beneath the bark of the stool produce new shoots. Coppicing has been practiced for millennia as a functional and sustainable way of harvesting timber.

Through this practice, wood can be harvested from a single tree at specified intervals (according to the species) for an indefinite period of time. In fact, some trees are thought to have been continuously coppiced for centuries!

Other coppicing definitions describe this woodland management technique as ‘hard pruning’ which can be used to maintain plants in their juvenile state or reinvigorate older shrubs. Coppicing will also create a fuller, multi-stem structure for the plant.2

Coppicing is usually carried out in the dormant season (winter), resulting in new growth the following spring.1 Entire areas may be coppiced, creating what may be referred to as a “copse”.

The length of the cycle between harvests depends upon the intended use of the coppice wood. For example, wood used in basket weaving will be harvested in short intervals to obtain slender, flexible shoots.

Whereas, wood which is coppiced for lumber poles or even firewood will require longer intervals to reach the desired size.1 Young growth can also be coppiced in the winter and potted.

Those cut stems will usually sprout roots and show new growth within one to two months, creating a new group of plants that can grow to be coppiced in the future.12

Coppicing Throughout History

Coppicing has been practiced for millennia! Physical artifacts constructed from coppiced wood dating back to at least 3500 BC have been identified, but some experts estimate that this silvicultural practice extends back as much as 10,000 years, even to the Neolithic period.12 The practice of coppicing carried on for thousands of years, eventually comprising a large part of Britain’s economy through the Middle Ages.

Experts with Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Cornell Botanic Gardens discussed the history of coppicing in a 2020 webinar.15,16 They explained that this particular pruning method was known as England’s silva minuta (Latin for ‘small wood’ or coppice standard) in medieval times.

A similar technique, called daisugi, was adopted by the Japanese for use on Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) in reaction to the limited national lumber supply.8,17 Though coppicing began its gradual decline in the 1800s, it wasn’t until the rise of coal-fired energy, modern industry, large machinery, and synthetic materials in the middle of the 1900s that coppicing fell out of popularity.3

The practice of coppicing has a rich history, but many people believe that it also has a rich future. The coppice industry is making a comeback, and it is likely to continue growing as people around the world seek more sources of sustainable energy and supplies.3

Comparing and Contrasting Coppicing and Pollarding

Coppicing and pollarding are two very similar arboricultural processes aimed at extending the lifespan, vigor, and yield of a tree or shrub by strategically cutting it back at intervals. Both pruning techniques can be used to achieve a particular, desired look at a given plant.

These strategies are employed in woodland management, agroforestry, and silviculture.18,19 The primary difference between coppicing and pollarding is the extent of the pruning.

Photo of a land with stumps due to coppicing.

(Image: JOHN K THORNE25)

This article has explained that, in the case of coppicing, woody plants are cut down almost all the way to the ground leaving a short ‘stool.’ In contrast, the pollarding method typically preserves the majority of the main trunk, retaining a ‘stub’ base height of several yards or meters.

Historically, coppicing was used in woodland areas for the purpose of producing timber while pollarding dominated in the open pastures. Pollarding was best suited to open pastures because the retained stub kept the new growth above the browsing line of grazing livestock and wildlife.11

Advantages and Disadvantages of Coppicing

There are numerous advantages to coppicing and a few potential disadvantages, but experts agree that the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Some of the many positive aspects of coppicing include:8,10

Biodiversity

When woodland areas are coppiced, sunlight reaches the forest floor, nourishing more diverse plant life which in turn attracts more diverse animal life.4

Convenience and Simplicity

In theory, the process of coppicing is a simple one though it requires significant effort and time. Coppicing is also a way for individuals to obtain needed timber, firewood, and livestock fodder with relative ease.

Habitat Diversity

Areas that have been coppiced exhibit varying rates of growth. With rotating coppicing systems, in particular, many stages of growth can be seen in a single woodland.

This creates habitat diversity for wildlife.5

Lumber Supply

Through coppicing, a single tree or entire copse can be harvested continually, at intervals, for years on end. Coppiced trees can generate more timber than felled trees, as the new growth is often denser and fuller than the original.

Additionally, coppiced stems can be propagated – planted and rooted – to grow entirely new specimens!

Lifespan Extension

For trees that respond well to coppicing, this hard-pruning technique can significantly increase the tree’s lifespan. Some trees can live for centuries longer than is typical when properly cared for and coppiced.

Specialized Timber

One of the best aspects of coppicing is that, with practice, this pruning method can be used to produce specialized timber of different sizes.

Tree Health

Yes, coppicing can also be used to reinvigorate older plants and trees, and sometimes even diseased trees. A hard prune that eliminates all diseased tree parts can allow for more effective treatment of the disease’s underlying cause.

Living Art

One of the most interesting applications of coppiced wood is its potential to create living art. When young, freshly coppiced stems are cut, they can be planted to create a particular design.

As the coppiced stems grow roots, the design will burst into life and color. This method can also be used to create living structures such as fences and walls.

It’s hard to argue with all of those benefits, but there are a few relative disadvantages, such as:14

Aesthetics

It may seem counterintuitive, but coppicing can actually be used to create aesthetic appeal. Some plants, particularly shrubs with colorful stems, are actually coppiced in the springtime so that they will produce vibrant new growth through the winter.

While new growth from small shrubs is often colorful and beautiful, few people would consider the coppiced stools of larger plants and their scraggly new growth attractive.

Photo of tall trees that are often considered as perfect coppice trees.

(Image: Andreas Rockstein27)

This can be countered by rotating and staggering coppice trees so that an entire area is not coppiced at once.

Ecosystem Disruption

Even though coppicing encourages habitat and biodiversity, it can temporarily impact the woodland ecosystem by removing wildlife habitats. The previous suggestion for coppicing at varying intervals and not all at once can also ameliorate this problem.

Smaller Timber

Coppiced trees produce slender new shoots which can take many years to grow to a substantial size. Coppiced wood provides quicker gratification for projects requiring smaller timber.

Recovery Time

The first time a plant is coppiced, it may take a year or two for it to recover and begin to sprout new growth. This is because the plant is transferring stored carbon from its roots and base to create new growth.

Subsequent pruning will usually require less recovery time.

Labor Intensive

This is probably the biggest drawback of coppicing. It’s hard work: simple in theory but labor intensive.

A well-managed copse requires a lot of attention, maintenance, and care.

How To Coppice Trees (The Process of Coppicing Trees)

There are several approaches to coppicing trees, and centuries of coppicing trees have produced some “tried and true” methods. The first step to coppice trees is to identify appropriate trees in the landscape.

Choosing trees that are not yet fully mature will help ensure their survival and rapid rejuvenation. Then, determine how the wood will be used.

This will inform the coppicing interval, as smaller wood being used for fuel will require less growing time than wood grown for lumber. The next step to coppice trees is to be ready with all of the right tools and equipment.

The required tools will vary depending on the size of the tree, of course. For smaller varieties, pruners, loppers, and pruning saws may be sufficient.

Meanwhile, larger varieties may require heavier-duty tools, such as an ax or even a chainsaw.6 Ensure the tools are sharp and in good working condition.

Wait until late winter, and carefully cut the base of the tree a few inches above ground level. Be sure to make a clean cut, preferably at a slight angle to deflect pooling water.9

Protect the stools of the coppiced trees from browsing animals with fencing, and fertilize the stool in the spring to encourage new growth.

Techniques for Managing a Coppice or Copse

Most people planning to coppice a tree or shrub for the first time are likely looking to tackle one or two specimens on their personal property. Significantly fewer people are setting out to develop a large-scale copse for commercial or practical purposes.

Photo of a land that has bundles of coppiced trees.

(Image: pete beard26)

Yet, this is something that is probably going to become more common across the country and world in the coming years. Maintaining a copse or coppiced woodland requires a fair amount of labor.

Several strategies and coppicing systems have been developed over time to make a coppiced woodland efficient and manageable.

Graphics with images and texts showing the techniques for managing a coppice or copse through interplanting, rotation, fertilizing stools, replacing dead stools, protecting of stools, coppice with standards, and monitoring or canopy cover.

Here are some tips for keeping a successful copse:8,9

  • Interplanting: Planting several tree species in a single area serves several functions. First, trees with short coppice intervals can be pruned while waiting for slower growers to develop.
    Secondly, nitrogen fixers such as alder or black locusts can be interspersed to promote soil fertility. Thirdly, this encourages biodiversity.
  • Rotation: When managing several copses or a single, large copse in sections, plan to rotate the coppice for years. In this way, one group or area of trees will be ready for coppicing each year (or however often the interval).
    This staggering schedule makes the workload more manageable.
  • Coppice with standards: This coppice system allows for some trees in the copse to grow to maturity. This serves several functions, from habitat diversity to aesthetics.
  • Protect stools: The new shoots that sprout from coppiced stools are tender and attractive to foraging animals, such as deer. Protect coppiced stools with fencing, when possible.
  • Fertilize stools: Fertilizing stools can help new growth to take off sooner, particularly the first time coppicing.
  • Coppice close to the ground: The first coppice should be cut just a few inches from the ground. Each successive coppice should be made as close to the first as possible.
  • Monitor canopy cover: If interspersing with mature trees, ensure that they are widespread enough to allow plenty of sunshine to reach coppiced trees. Occasionally, mature trees may need to be felled to allow more light to reach the forest floor.
  • Replace dead stools: Some stools will naturally die off over time. Maintain the copse by replacing dead stools as they are discovered.

Can Coppicing Be Used To Rejuvenate Older or Diseased Trees?

Older trees can certainly be rejuvenated through coppicing, and because they have so much stored carbon, they often generate new growth more quickly than juvenile trees. However, be sure to coppice before the tree reaches maturity to maximize its lifespan.

Coppicing can also benefit diseased trees by removing all diseased growth, but the root cause of the disease must be addressed in order for the tree to revive.8

Though the practice fell out of popular use in the last century, its value is now being recognized again as another avenue toward a sustainable future.

Understanding the coppice pruning method, as well as when and how to use it can help you begin coppicing your existing trees.

Frequently Asked Questions About Creating a Coppice

What Is the Best Season for Coppicing?

For most plant species that benefit from coppicing, late winter to very early spring is the best window for a hard prune. However, when coppicing flowering or fruiting plants, wait until the blooming season is over before pruning as a hard prune can greatly impact yield.8

How Old Does a Tree Need To Be To Coppice?

The necessary age a plant needs to reach before being coppiced depends entirely upon the species of tree, its growth rate, and the use of the wood. Many fast-growing trees, such as alder and black locust trees, can first be coppiced after 4 to 5 years with cyclic coppicing afterward, while slower-growing, such as oak, will need more time to establish and begin growing vigorously.8

How Long Can You Extend a Tree’s Lifespan With Coppicing?

One of the main advantages of coppicing is the way this practice extends a tree’s lifespan by maintaining it at a juvenile or ‘young adult’ age. The exact length of a coppiced tree’s lifespan depends upon the species, but regular coppicing has been known to extend the lifespans of trees by decades and even centuries.

Read More About Coppice


References

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25Coppicing. JOHN K THORNE.PDM 1.0 DEED | Public Domain Mark 1.0 Universal. Resized, Adjusted Color Balance, and Adjusted Brightness and Contrast. From <https://www.flickr.com/photos/seattlecamera/51831279545/>

26Coppice 2015. pete beard.CC BY 2.0 DEED | Attribution 2.0 Generic.Resized, Adjusted Color Balance, and Adjusted Brightness and Contrast. From <https://www.flickr.com/photos/postmanpetecoluk/16364485825/>

27Robinia pseudoacacia. Andreas Rockstein.CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED | Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic.Resized, Adjusted Color Balance, and Adjusted Brightness and Contrast. From <https://www.flickr.com/photos/74738817@N07/44075128540/>