{"id":611966517574,"date":"2025-10-16T16:41:54","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T16:41:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ashridgetrees.co.uk\/blogs\/uncategorized\/pruning-jobs-to-do-now-coppicing\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T08:41:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T08:41:38","slug":"pruning-jobs-to-do-now-coppicing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ashridgetrees.co.uk\/blogs\/gardening\/pruning-jobs-to-do-now-coppicing\/","title":{"rendered":"Pruning Jobs to do now: Coppicing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Requiring only a sharp saw or secateurs and the courage of your convictions, coppicing is a straightforward and satisfying winter job.<\/h2>\n

This short burst of activity will both warm the body and enhance the garden, with the added benefit of perhaps providing a fresh crop of bean poles or even some of next year\u2019s firewood. Coppicing is a useful pruning technique for gardeners \u2013 here\u2019s our low down on the low down:<\/p>\n

\"Pruning
Pruning red-twigged dogwood<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What is coppicing?<\/strong>
Coppicing has been practised since the Stone Age. To coppice a tree means to completely cut it down to ground-level, causing it to enter \u2018panic mode\u2019 and respond by sending up several strong, fast-growing stems.<\/p>\n

Why coppice?<\/strong>
Traditionally used to produce firewood, basketwork and building materials, in the garden you can coppice trees to create attractive multi-stemmed plants. Coppicing is a good way of managing larger trees, allowing them to be enjoyed in smaller spaces. If a tree has really outgrown its welcome, coppicing is a more sustainable alternative to complete removal. Coppicing can also be used to promote colourful new stems on plants.<\/p>\n

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A close up of hazel tree hurdle fencing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What trees can be coppiced?<\/strong>
Most well-established broad-leaved trees respond to coppicing, most conifers do not. There are exceptions to this general rule \u2013 we recommend carrying out your own research before making the chop. See some suggestions below.<\/p>\n

What time of year should coppicing be done?<\/strong>
The best time to coppice a tree is during its dormant period which, for most deciduous species, is winter to early spring. (Leave colourful stems until early spring to allow fullest enjoyment of their winter display.)<\/p>\n

How to coppice<\/strong>
Coppicing is refreshingly easy and almost impossible to get wrong. Simply cut back all stems to around 5 centimetres above soil level.<\/p>\n

Is pollarding the same as coppicing?
<\/strong>Yes, except the cut is made higher up on the tree. Traditionally this was done so the land could double up as pasture for grazing animals while keeping the tasty new growth kept out of reach.<\/p>\n

How often should I coppice?<\/strong>
This depends on what you are coppicing and why.<\/p>\n