Outlining the work BTCV does with a coppice management group in Croydon.

1. Coppicing in Croydon with BTCV (supported by Croydon Council) The first stage of Croydon “BTCV” Sustainable Woodlands team’s 2006/7 winter season programme involves coppicing an acre (about the size of a football pitch) of seven year old understory woodland, consisting of mixed hazel and ash within Selsdon wood – owned by the National Trust and managed on their behalf by Croydon Council. Work commenced with clearance of the bramble and bracken undergrowth to create a safe and accessible work-site inspiring people, improving places v3

4. The Team L-R Dave 1 Gil Mark 1 Dave 2 Justin Chris Mary Tom Rob (team leader) Mark 2 is taking the photo

6. Right: Hazel runners are tagged for layering (plashing) to develop new growth areas Left: Trees (an Oak in this case) that are to be retained (standard or maiden trees) and not coppiced are tagged

7. Below: Coppiced hazel stool. The oval shape is created to encourage rain to run off and reduce risk of the stool rotting. Left: Two hazel stands are cleared of bramble and bracken prior to coppicing

8. Cut timber (sometimes called a “drift”) prior to being trimmed (snedded) and graded (decision about the final product that the timber will be used for)

9. Middle left: Waste material formed into habitat piles – to encourage insects and provide cover for small mammals Upper left: Waste material from the snedding and grading process Lower left: Any surplus waste is burnt off

12. A cleared area once coppicing and other work has been completed. Main standard tree is a sweet chestnut – note also habitat pile in background (left)

14. Planting for the future The hazel runners marked out earlier (see page 6) for layering to promote new growth and increase density (beat up) are shown here: Left: The underside of the hazel runner is stressed (bark removed to reveal the yellow / white underneath); the stem is pleached (shaved down until it will bend under its own weight); pegged down (with dog legged plashing pegs made from hazel waste), and finally buried to stimulate root growth Right: New year old growth from the 2005/6 seasons plashing. Each hazel runner can eventually produce four or five new independent hazel stools Pleached stem

15. Waste material from the site has been used here to make a dead hedge – to protect the site and maintain alignment of the path edge

16. Rob with bundles of bean poles and tree guard stakes awaiting collection. In the background you can see the growth from last years area coppicing.

17. The finished product in use. Hedging stakes and ethering rods from Selsdon Woods used in a hedge laying project on behalf of the Corporation of London at Spring Park, West Wickham, Kent.

18. Nature returns The site as we left it, waiting for nature to take over and the bluebells to flower With thanks to Croydon Council for all their support, encouragement and guidance throughout the coppicing season