Saturday 11 December 2010

Hazel Coppicing


I have spent a great day at Killynether Wood, near Newtownards in County Down, hazel coppicing.

Tools for the job included a chain-saw, loppers, large pruning saws and hack saws.

We worked on a steep slope in the middle of the woods. This traditional method of coppicing is progressing very well indeed since we began about three years ago.

We lit a roaring bonfire. There were seven of us today and, since Craig had forgotten to bring his sandwiches, some of us gave him a portion of our own.

We chatted about the Castle Ward annual staff dinner at the Theatre on Tuesday, 14th December. I must bring a bottle of wine with me, incidentally. I'll be getting a lift.

13 comments :

Jack Plane said...

Fascinating! I would expect to see a hazel coppice in England, but not Northern Ireland. Are there plans afoot to begin hurdle-making, or is the coppice purely for land management purposes? I'm sure a local thatcher would be glad of some of the hazel rods for making scallops and spars.

Timothy Belmont said...

Have you ever visited Killynether? It's a special place, still owned by the National Trust - though leased to the DoE.

The coppicing is presently for land-management and, you're right, I'm told that there are very few indeed in NI; except possibly at Glenarm Forest.

Torns said...

I'm looking for Hazel to make hurdles.Any pointers. I'm in Newcastle Co.Down

George Ruddell said...

Anyone looking for hazel coppice products please store my e mail address.
I'm planting hazel this year with the intention of establishing a good coppice area in Portadown. Little wood so far but you never know....
george_stix@hotmail.com

Lynne Smyth said...

Hi people. We're in West Tyrone. Would like to do some hazel coppicing on our land. Anybody around willing to visit and advise please?

Lynne Smyth said...

In West Tyrone, would like to coppice hazel on ou land. Don't know much about it. Anyone you know would be willing to visit and advise?

Unknown said...

After hazel.rods- anybody have any here?

Barry said...

Did you have any luck?

Unknown said...

Looking for some 6ft x 3, 4 & 5 ft hazel hurdles to replace existing. Does anyone know of a northern ireland supplier. I live in county down & only suppliers i can find are in England.

Barry said...

You could try this guy info@bobjohnstonbaskets.co.uk
He works at the ulster folk museum with wicker. He has hurdles on his website but they are wicker, might be able to point you in the right direction. Let me know how you get on

Barry said...

info@bobjohnstonbaskets.co.uk

Unknown said...

Hi folks, I am a coppice craftsman from Belfast. I supply timber, do talks and workshops. Happy to advice.
laganvalleycoppice@gmail.com

Marc Daly said...

Hi, are you just thinking about planting hazel or do you have an existing planting?