Hazel Coppicing and Hedge Management at Tolworth Brook Berrylands, January 3rd, 2015

Our first outing of 2015 was to a favourite small woodland alongside the Tolworth Brook in Berrylands.

Since 2012, we have returned to the woodland to carry out the traditional practice of coppicing, in order to improve the woodland for wildlife, and to make use of the woodland products for fencing.

The team of volunteers ignored the persistent rain, and got stuck into the task of coppicing the hazel trees, and creating a dead hedge with the materials, and then planting hawthorn whips to create a living hedge.

Now the woodland is starting to look like a real coppice, with trees of different ages, and is full of wildlife. Bluebells were just staring to emerge, a sure sign that spring isn't that far away, even though Christmas has only just finished. 

Elliot gets to work creating a usable pole from a hazel tree. 

Chris and Jed make use of the poles to create the dead hedge. 

The two Johns create their own pile of poles.

Finally, we have a real coppice coupe. 

And, an excellent-looking dead hedge providing wildlife habitat and an extra layer of security for homeowners.