Heritage Crafts

Coppice working

The management of woodland such that young tree stems are repeatedly cut down to near ground level to produce long straight shoots for harvesting, and the making of products using these shoots. Many of the coppice crafts have separate entries.
CURRENTLY VIABLE
Status
Currently viable
Craft category
Wood
Historic area of significance
The heartlands are now Kent where the chestnut industry is still viable, Southern counties such as Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset where the hazel industry was associated with historic sheep industry. However most counties have some connection with a coppice history, Cumbria being another that has a remnant industry today.
Area practiced currently
The National Coppice Federation has coppice groups affiliated from most areas of England and some in Wales. There are fewer in Scotland but there is some coppice.
Origin in the UK
Paleolithic
Current No. of professionals (Main income)
201-500 (coppice workers who make a proportion or all of their income from working coppice woodlands)
Current No. of professionals (Side income)
Proportion of the above
Current No. of trainees
11-20

History

‘Coppice crafts’ is a broad term to describe the making of a wide variety of products including: pea sticks, hurdles, barrel hoops, clothes pegs, tent pegs, rakes, handles, spars, scythe snaiths, furniture and charcoal. Historically some craftsmen would have specialised in particular products, while others would have made a range of products. Today, coppice workers and woodsmen tend to make a range of items.

Techniques

Traditional coppice working in the UK involves managing woodland to produce regular harvests of wood by cutting trees near the base, allowing them to regrow from the stumps, or stools. This centuries-old technique promotes biodiversity, sustainable wood production, and a rich woodland ecosystem. Here are the key techniques used:

Selection of Trees

  • Species Choice: Traditional coppicing focuses on species that readily regrow after cutting, such as hazel, ash, sweet chestnut, willow, and oak.

Coppice Cycles

  • Rotation: Coppice woodland is divided into sections, or “cants,” and harvested in rotation. This ensures a continuous supply of wood and varying ages of regrowth across the woodland.
  • Cycle Length: The cycle length depends on the intended use of the wood. For example:
    • Hazel (7–10 years): For hurdles, thatching spars, and hedging stakes.
    • Sweet Chestnut (12–20 years): For fencing, poles, and construction materials.
    • Oak (15–30 years or more): For tool handles and larger timber.

Cutting Techniques

  • Timing: Trees are cut during the dormant season (autumn to early spring) to minimize stress on the plants and encourage regrowth.
  • Cutting Close to the Base: Trees are cut low to the ground, leaving a stool typically 10–30 cm high.

Regrowth Management

  • Protecting New Shoots: After cutting, the area is protected from grazing animals like deer and rabbits, which can damage young regrowth. Temporary fencing is often used.
  • Layering: this is a traditional technique used in coppice management to propagate new trees and maintain the health and productivity of a woodland. This method takes advantage of the natural ability of many trees and shrubs to produce roots when branches are in contact with the soil. In coppicing, layering is particularly useful for regenerating stools, filling gaps, and ensuring a continuous supply of suitable trees.

Product Harvesting

  • Sorting and Bundling: Wood is cut and sorted based on size and intended use. Smaller pieces may be used for firewood or weaving, while larger poles are used for construction or fencing.
  • Charcoal Production: Offcuts and less valuable wood are often used for traditional charcoal making.
  • Preservation of Standards: Mature trees, or “standards,” are often left within a coppiced area to provide long-term timber and habitat for wildlife.
  • Habitat Maintenance: The rotational nature of coppicing creates a mosaic of habitats, benefiting various plant and animal species.

Tools and Equipment

  • Traditional hand tools like billhooks, axes, and bowsaws are commonly used in traditional coppicing. Modern adaptations may include chainsaws, but the emphasis remains on sustainable, low-impact practices.

Community and Cultural Practices

  • Coppicing often involves local communities and skilled craftspeople. The harvested wood supports traditional crafts like hurdle-making, basketry, and furniture production.

By carefully managing woodland through coppicing, traditional techniques ensure the sustainable use of natural resources while maintaining a rich and diverse ecosystem.

 

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Local forms

  • Oak coppice: Cumbria, Argyll, West Midlands for tan bark
  • Hornbeam coppice: Essex etc
  • Mixed coppice (birch, alder, willow, hazel, ash) for bobbin works: Cumbria
  • Ash coppice
  • Hazel coppice
  • Sweet chestnut coppice

Sub-crafts

Issues affecting the viability

  • Market issues: Reduced demand for traditional coppice products (e.g., hurdles, charcoal, fencing) due to modern materials like plastics and steel.
  • Cost of Labour: Coppicing is labour-intensive, requiring skilled workers and significant effort, making it less economically viable in modern times.
  • Loss of Skills: Fewer people are trained in coppicing techniques, leading to a decline in expertise and knowledge transfer.
  • Decline in woodland management: Many coppice woodlands have been neglected, resulting in overgrown, derelict stands that are difficult to restore.
  • Changes in Land Use: Pressure from agriculture, development, and other land uses reduces the area available for coppicing.
  • Pests and Diseases: Increased threats from pests (e.g., deer browsing on regrowth) and diseases (e.g., ash dieback, sweet chestnut blight) compromise tree health.
  • Climate Change: Unpredictable weather patterns and rising temperatures affect tree growth and woodland ecosystems.
  • Economic Pressures: Low profitability compared to other land uses discourages investment in coppicing and woodland management.
  • Competition from Imported Timber and coppice products: Imported wood and wood products often undercut locally sourced coppice materials.
  • Lack of Public Awareness: Limited public understanding of coppicing’s ecological and cultural value reduces support for its preservation

Support organisations

Training organisations

Apprenticeships

Several organisations run coppicing apprenticeship schemes, such as the Bill Hogarth Memorial Trust and the Small Woods Association.

Short courses

There are a number of organisations and individuals offering short courses in coppicing and sustainable woodland management across the UK. The National Coppice Federation is an umbrella organisation for coppice groups and can provide more information on training opportunities in your local area.

Craftspeople currently known

References

  • National Coppice Federation
  • Coppice Association North West
  • Jenkins, J Geraint, (1978) Traditional Country Craftsmen (Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd)
  • Tabor, Raymond, (1994) Traditional Woodland Crafts: A Practical Guide (B T Bastford Ltd)
  • Edlin, Herbert L, (1973) Woodland Crafts in Britain (David and Charles)
  • Oaks and Mills (2010) Coppicing and Coppice Crafts – a comprehensive guide 
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Swire Charitable Trust
The Royal Mint
Pilgrim Trust
Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation
William Grant Foundation

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