Derelict hazel coppice produce: own-use firewood, bean rods. Neolithic-ing. Walking sticks.
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- čas přidán 10. 09. 2024
- Copping has been done in the British Isles for thousands of years because of what it can produce. Economic changes in the last two centuries have drastically reduced the economic and social value of many of the products and the future survival of coppice and its biodiversity value is under threat as a result. I am cutting derelict hazel (with no current economic value) for my own firewood and to restore it to 5-7 year cycle. But there are by-products which have some value: stakes, bean rods, hedging heathers (binders) and more possible. Given the need to reduce our dependence on fossil hydrocarbons like coal and oil, should we be looking to actively revive some of the old uses for renewable coppice produce which were finally killed by plastics?
Hedging stakes, of course, about 2' apart, it's the uprights in a hurdle that are at 11". Heathers bind the stakes in.
Genius chainsaw sharpening post!
Great vid and thanks for all the product ideas!
There's some hazel coppicing been going on at an area of common land in Northumberland recently, it's good to see a resurgence, also seeing some hedge laying here and there
Haha savage I've done so much neolithicing worst part is I've used my 5lb elwell axe to save messing around so means I'm generally chopping through several shoots to get one! I convinced myself it was mimicking mammoths so healthier 😂
I've only ever seen a couple of areas of in-cycle hazel and a couple of short-rotation sweet chestnut. All the rest has been derelict or overstood unless I (or the group I used to work for) restored it. In this area of Dorset (and Surrey) we have lots of deer, which means that next cut, this coppice will need to be fenced or otherwise protected - not something our lackluster authorities will support as they rely on 'market forces' to fund any work......
Thanks for the video, this is really useful stuff
I used to restore derlict coppice know some off the top rotational Hazel in Britain!
Do you peel the broomhandles? And do you sell them?
I don't sell them as you can buy perfectly straight handles for next to nothing. I tend to use them myself as I like a nice long handle on a broom so I don't have to bend. A few get used at a place I work to replace busted handles on brooms and leaf rakes (they get through a lot) as that is more economical (and green) than buying a whole new broom/leaf rake. I make a nominal charge for the handle. I don't peel them. I store them under cover (dry) when fresh-cut and the bark stays on tight. I think they make a perfectly nice broom handle, but never being totally straight, they have quirks in use. Of course they could be straightened, but in an era where machined handles are what everyone is used to (even if many are imported from overseas) the effort would not be economically viable. Looked after, hazel broom handles can last for years, but who looks after broom handles? Thanks for the question