KLEEN
Bradnor Coppice
This wood and the house opposite are
owned by St. Mary’s Church, Kington and we
would like to know more about its history. It
appears to have been planted up as hazel
coppice around 1960-70 and has been clear-
cut at least twice since then. It is now long
overdue for recutting and it is rather over-
crowded.
A brief survey of the plants present shows
little of note. The bluebells indicate that it
may be on the site an older woodland. The
main coppice trees are Hazel and some
Willow & Sweet Chestnut. There are a few
larger “standard” trees of Oak, Ash, Wych
Elm & Cherry. There are also a few rotting
stumps of soft-wood trees.
There is also the remains of a corrugated
chicken shed in the middle.
Rather than cut the whole wood as one
piece we plan to make 5 strips (coups or
cants). (Click for plan. Look at the map for
the whereabouts of the coppice relative to
the town.) We will cut one cant each year,
working from the South to North, letting the
light into each area with least shading to the
next. This should help create a more regular
supply of young, straight coppice materials for
making hurdles etc. It will also allow wildlife
(especially bats & birds) to move up through
the wood as it is changed.
It will be interesting to see what other plants
emerge in spring.
We will re-cut the coppice trees using hand
saws and make brash piles between each strip
(good for birds (and invertebrates ed.) and a
barrier to deer!). The remaining high stools
will be cut as low as possible by a certified
chain-sawyer on another occasion during the
winter.
Some of the cut wood will be made into
habitat piles to rot down for insects etc. and
some stacked to dry for firewood.
Page reviewed 6/3/2018
Help – Entwork available for Volunteer Tree Stewards
Any amount of help is needed for the care and maintenance of the
trees. It is hard, healthy physical work with real benefits for people
and our environment. We use hand tools whenever possible. If you
would like know more about or get involved in this or other projects
please contact Richie Cotterill, Kington Tree Warden.Telephone
01544 231236 or 07777 661252. Email: kingtontrees@live.co.uk