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Coppicing

/KOP-is-ing/
🧑‍🌾 Cultivation●● Intermediate

Coppicing involves cutting a tree or shrub down to its base (stool) to promote the growth of multiple new stems from the root system. This ancient practice produces a sustainable supply of poles, firewood, and materials on a rotation cycle. Coppiced trees can live much longer than unmanaged ones because the root system continues to grow. Species suitable for coppicing include hazel, willow, sweet chestnut, and eucalyptus.

Etymology

From Old French couper (to cut), from Latin colpus (a blow)

Example

The hazel coppice was cut on a seven-year rotation, providing poles for garden supports and sustainable firewood.