The Hampshire Coppice Craftsmens Group

"Putting Life into your Landscape"

Welcome to the Hampshire Coppice Craftsmens Group Press page as outlined on the Home page HCCG was formed in 2003 to promote the work of coppice workers within Hampshire as well as providing a united voice for the coppice industry within the county. The group also helps to form link between the industry and relevant agencies and land owners. For more information on the aims of the group look at our mission statement.

The aim of this page is to give the Press an informed view of the coppice industry as well as explaining the main terms used. It will also hold links to specific press releases

Coppice Apprentices Presentaion of Bill hooks to the Two Bill Hogarth coppice apprentices at the Sustinability centre green fair in May.

For more information about each of the subjects a link has been provided to the relevant section on the FAQ page or feel free to contact the Coppice Group.

What is Coppicing?

In layman's terms it is cutting a tree at ground level to promote regrowth. Of the tree and shrub species in Britain the most commonly coppiced are Hazel (Corylus avellana), Sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), Willow (Salix), and Ash (Fraxinus excelsior). Oak (Quercus spp) was also commonly coppiced although little of this remains in working rotation.

Other species that are commonly found in coppiced areas are holly (Ilex aquifolium), field maple (Acer campeste), spindle (Euonymus europaeus) and Whitebeam (Sorbus aria) either as coppice or as standard trees.

Why coppice woodland?

A group of HCCG members at a coppice workers camp.

The coppicing of woodland is probably one of the oldest forms of woodland management. The products from hazel coppice can be used for a wide range of things from spars to hurdles and pea and bean sticks. Chestnut is still widely used for fencing.

Coppicing also has a positive impact on some of Britains many endangered species such as dormice, butterflies, and plant species. But probably the rarest and most elusive creature in the coppice woodland is the Coppice worker themselves.

Where do we work?

HCCG has members all over the county of Hampshire with associate members from Sussex and Dorset. Many of our members are professional coppice workers, although they may not work in the coppice full time.

The phrase 'The rarest thing in the coppice is the coppice worker' sums the situation up well, as many areas of woodland have lost their coppice workers completely.

How is the coppice cut?

As outlined in the 'What is coppice section', coppicing is the cutting of a tree at just above ground level to encourage the regrowth from this point. There are many theories about the height at which coppice should be cut, but most of the old coppice workers will tell you that it should be less than a foot above ground level or the stems will blow over in the first winter.

The tools of the trade have changed little over the centuries although in the latter half of the 20th century the chainsaw has become more common among the coppice workers. Many still use a bill hook or axe on the better rods as there is less risk of damaging them during cutting.

Once cut the billhook is the tool of choice to process the products.

Produce of coppice woodland

Coppice products have been used in Britain since man first realised that when he cut down a tree it sprouted from the base. The table below shows the more common uses for coppice:

As well as the products outlined above several of the species make very good firewood and charcoal thus reducing the carbon foot print.

By using lump wood charcoal produced in the United Kingdom you are reducing the fuel miles and helping with the sustainable management of woodland in the UK. Much of the charcoal that is imported from other countries has not been produced from sustainable woodland.