Coppicing in Fox Hill

Coppicing is a traditional form of woodland management where thicker multi-stem trunks are cut back to encourage healthy regrowth. Once coppicing is done once, it should be repeated for the life of the plant.

Traditionally it was used for fencing or stakes. We will use the stakes for dead hedging (below), the brash for hedge filling, thinner straight branches for pegs and thicker trunks for footpath edging. Coppicing these trees will allow more light to penetrate into the area and encourage the growth of native plants such as bluebells.

All the trees in Fox Hill woodland are covered by a Tree Protection Order.  WBC have granted us permission to remove rhododendron ponticum as this is an invasive species and part of the Fox Hill management plan. In addition, we have permission via planning application 242932 to coppice some hazel trees, which we will complete in early 2025. Any wood removed will be used in our conservation work.