Coppicing Willow, Why, When and How.

Coppicing Willow

In this video, the focus is on coppicing willow as a short rotation willow coppers. The speaker explains that there are different varieties of willows that are native to Europe and they all coppice quite well. The products may vary depending on the species of willow.

Different Varieties of Willow

• There are over 150 varieties of willows native to Europe.

• Different varieties are better suited for different products such as basket making, cricket bats, or firewood.

• It's important to understand which variety you have and what you're trying to achieve with it.

Establishing a Coppice Area

• A coppice area was established around 10 years ago with three key aims: windbreak, habitat creation, and creating a useful product.

• Short rotation coppicing on a commercial scale is done in a whole section called cant or coupe on a five-year rotation.

• Individual trees can be taken out each year for small-scale coppicing.

Regrowth from Coppiced Trees

• Willow naturally produces multiple stems when it's coppiced.

• Different thicknesses of stems provide different benefits for various products such as basket making or firewood.

• The best time to do the coppicing is during the dormant season in winter using secateurs or loppers and a pruning saw.

Accomplishing Tree Coppicing

• You don't need industrial tools like chainsaws if you're doing it on a small scale; secateurs or loppers and a pruning saw can be used instead.

Willow Coppicing

In this video, the speaker demonstrates how to coppice a willow tree and use the resulting wood for various purposes. The speaker also explains how to prepare whips from the cuttings to establish new coppices.

Coppicing Process

• Cut the tree cleanly and angle it slightly down to shed water and face it south for sun exposure.

• Clean leaf litter away from the stump or stool so that it can grow freely in spring.

• Use thin stems as whips by pushing them into the ground with buds facing up.

• Make clean angled cuts when preparing whips.

Processing Wood

• Clean up trunk and produce main leader for firewood, smaller branches for kindling, or willow basket making.

• Use cutting tool like a bull hook or loppers.

Conclusion

• Processed wood can be used for firewood, kindling, or creating new coppers with whips.

• Thanks viewers for watching.