TQ5944 : Coppicing, Quarry Wood
taken 4 years ago, near to Southborough, Kent, England
Coppicing is a management technique of cutting trees and shrubs to ground level allowing vigorous regrowth and a sustainable supply of timber for future generations.
Trees and shrubs that are cut down in this way can produce shoots that grow over 30cm in a week.
The benefits of coppicing are varied, including promoting ground vegetation (by letting light in), raw materials for thatching, fencing, kindling and charcoal making. Also coppiced trees live longer than non coppiced trees. All trees can be coppiced, but hazel, ash, lime and beech are common.
The woods name alludes to the extractive industry (ironstone) that was carried out around here in Tudor times. The woodland was and still is extensively coppiced. Gorse Wood, Simmonds Wood, Quarry Wood & Copyhold Wood are extensions of Minepit Wood.