Our Conservation Volunteers have been busy coppicing in the Hazel Plantation, led by Richard Bond. The Hazel Plantation runs alongside the stream, east of the lake. Richard has sent us this update and information to share.
This area of Hazel has been coppiced, trees are cut low and grow again. This process prolongs the life of many trees and allows continuous absorption of carbon.
The plantation will be coppiced over the next few years to produce a sustainable timber crop. Hazel is traditionally used for Hurdles bean poles and walking sticks and material from this site will be used as such and provide materials for forest schools projects.
The area has been maintained and protected with a dead hedge with the help of the Friends volunteers. The dead hedge acts as a corridor and nesting habitat for small mammals and birds and over the coming months various species of wild flowers, birds, mammals, and insects will make this their home.
A few Hazel trees are left tall along the edges to connect to the stream and surrounding hedges.
