Pruning select flora aggressively might seem harsh, yet it's essential for their well-being; learn the optimal techniques and ideal timing.

Pruning select flora aggressively might seem harsh, yet it's essential for their well-being; learn the optimal techniques and ideal timing.

Chopping Trees and Shrubs: A Comprehensive Guide to Coppicing

Cutting a tree or shrub right down to the ground, a method known as coppicing, might seem extreme. But this process holds massive benefits for the tree's health and growth, alongside promoting colorful winter stems and larger leaves on select plants.

Exploring the World of Coppicing

Coppicing is a centuries-old technique where trees and shrubs are cut back to their roots. This technique takes advantage of the natural growth pattern of trees: if the main stem is cut or falls, shoots sprout in an attempt to survive. The root system, previously used for feeding a large tree, shifts its energy into producing new growth and foliage.

Historically, coppicing was crucial for woodland management and provided essential resources for the ancient economy, offering firewood, building materials, and fencing. Today, conservationists are reviving this practice to boost biodiversity by opening up woodland, allowing more light and a broader range of plants and wildlife to thrive.

The Perks of Coppicing

Coppicing can lead to a guaranteed vigorous new growth of a tree or shrub, making it easier to manipulate its shape and size. It also often stimulates vibrantly colored new stems and dramatic, large leaves, adding visual appeal to gardens. As your plants regrow, they may broaden to provide effective screening and can be integrated into borders with perennials and groundcover plantings.

For large garden trees on clay soil, coppicing can help control the threat of subsidence by slowing down root growth. Removing a big tree entirely might have more severe consequences. Tony Kirkham advises managing trees to fit in with your garden and dealing with their size before considering removal.

Timing is Everything: When to Coppice

Generally, it is best to coppice in late winter or early spring.

Going Down to Business: The Tools You Need for Coppicing

To coppice plants efficiently, you will need the following tools:

• Felco No 2 or No 9 secateurs (No 2 for right-handed, No 9 for left-handed)
• A sharp pruning saw
• Short-bladed folding saw
• Avoid using long-handled loppers for the final cut as they can squash stems, leading to die-back and rotting.

Revitalizing Your Garden: Coppicing Trees and Shrubs

Once reserved for trees like sweet chestnut and hornbeam, coppicing is now applicable to a wide range of trees and shrubs. Specific varieties like:

Trees to Coppice

1. Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) - Once common for coppicing, its dense wood was prized as fuel. For garden use, the hornbeam would offer a dense foliage backdrop or screen, as when used for hedging.
2. Birch (Betula species) - Produces catkins and delicate new foliage, with multi-stemmed growth encouraged through coppicing, resulting in a beautiful winter bark display.
3. Small-leaved lime tree (Tilia cordata) - Will produce larger, heart-shaped leaves after coppicing.
4. White mulberry (Morus alba) - Offers foliage and fruit in China, traditionally coppiced so that it produces the large, fleshy leaves preferred by the silkworm.
5. Eucalyptus (like Eucalyptus glaucescens) - A fast-growing tree often left out of gardens, but coppicing eucalyptus can help manage its size while the juvenile foliage offers unique visual appeal.
6. Red oak (Quercus rubra) - Legend has it that oak trees were traditionally coppiced for boat building as the regrowth is often curved and valued for making keels.
7. Foxglove tree (Paulownia tomentosa) - When coppiced, the foxglove tree produces leaves that reach 60 cm across on shoots 2.5 m tall, popular in jungle-style gardens.
8. Indian bean tree (Catalpa bignoides) - Coppicing catalpa results in large, dramatic leaves. While it will produce no flowers or beans, it offers stunning foliage.
9. Hazel (Corylus avellana) - When hazel is coppiced, it grows long, straight stems, with a broad, open habit and branches carrying leaves in airy, horizontal layers.

Shrubs to Coppice

1. Dogwoods - Cornus alba 'Kesselringii' and C. sericea 'Flaviramea' offer rich, dark maroon red and acid green young stems, respectively.
2. Willow - Salix alba var. vitellina 'Britzensis', and others, produce beautiful colored young stems that make a fantastic winter display.
3. Holly (Ilex aquifolium) - Coppice holly for dense, attractive, prickly young foliage and improved screening.
4. Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum) - Coppicing judas tree results in large, lustrous, heart-shaped leaves.

Conclusion

The art of coppicing trees and shrubs can significantly enhance the beauty and health of a garden. By actively managing your plants through coppicing, you can promote colorful winter stems, larger leaves, and effective screening. Visit our advice section for more resources on how to choose and care for coppiced plants in your garden.

1. The ancient technique of coppicing, where trees and shrubs are cut back to their roots, is not only beneficial for the plant's health and growth but also aids in creating visually appealing landscapes in home-and-garden settings.
2. Coppicing a variety of trees and shrubs, such as hornbeam, birch, small-leaved lime tree, white mulberry, eucalyptus, red oak, foxglove tree, Indian bean tree, hazel, dogwoods, willow, holly, and judas tree, can lead to stunning new growth, larger leaves, and colorful stems, adding charm to gardens.
3. Apart from adding aesthetic value to your garden, coppicing also offers practical benefits, like controlling the threat of subsidence for large garden trees on clay soil and providing effective screening for your home-and-garden lifestyle.

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