Coppicing at GFN
By Julia Chevan
Have you ever heard of “coppicing”? It might sound like something straight out of Shakespeare, and you wouldn’t be entirely wrong! (Think: “Hereby, upon the edge of yonder coppice, a stand where you may make the fairest shoot” – Love’s Labors Lost). But coppicing is much more than just a fancy word. It’s an ancient and sustainable technique for managing trees and hedges, and recently, after consultation with Grow Food Northampton (GFN) staff, I got to put it to good use on the GFN Community Farm!
Coppicing involves cutting a dormant tree or hedge down near its base. This might seem drastic, but it stimulates new growth, resulting in a “coppice” of multiple shoots springing up from the remaining roots. It’s like giving the plant a haircut, encouraging it to grow bushier and stronger.
There are several benefits to coppicing willows at Grow Food Northampton:
- Sustainability: Coppiced willows regrow quickly, providing a renewable source of material for years to come.
- Versatility: The harvested willow branches can be used for various purposes, like weaving baskets, creating living fences, or even making furniture.
- Habitat Creation: Coppicing promotes biodiversity by creating diverse habitats for insects and small animals.
I had the opportunity to learn about coppicing while WWOOFing on a willow farm in the UK. I was thrilled to see newly planted willows at GFN and on a sunny but cold January afternoon got to help by giving these plants their first “coppice haircut.”
By coppicing the willows, GFN not only continues a centuries-old tradition, but also ensures a sustainable future for the farm and the community. In the coming years, these coppiced willows will provide us with a magical wealth of renewable resources and opportunities to learn and create together.
