![]() Traditionally the wood stocks would have been moved to the locations they were needed around May time when the working animals were not needed to work the land, and trades were improving after winter. The wood is then stacked for use and is moved around the Museum when it is needed. The branches are used for firewood and for stakes for hedges and repairing woven fences, and all the brushwood is bundled up to make faggots for our Newdigate Bakehouse and oven in Winkhurst Tudor Kitchen. There is no waste from what is produced from the coppicing process. This is done to be in-keeping with the historic houses where the firewood is used.Ĭoppicing is carried out from October to March, when it is important to maintain and encourage the trees to make new growth in the spring. The practice of coppicing is part of the day-to-day life at the Museum, as it is not just used for demonstration purposes, but to also supply the Museum with firewood and other products to support the historic buildings on site.Ĭoppicing was once an important part of the rural community and the Museum showcases this process in a similar way to the 15/1600s. The programme they work from supports the processes that would have been used in the 15/1600s. The current woodland management project was started back in 2004. When the land was leased to us in the 1970s we took over the coppicing of this site and continue to do so today. West Dean continued to coppice until the late 1980s. This is left to grow for 11 years before that area is ready to coppice again.Ĭoppicing has taken place on the land, which is part of the West Dean Estate for many years. By undertaking this process each year on a rotation around the woodland, this allows the trees to produce new growth in the spring. This helps to regenerate the woodland area. In areas that are sparse, they also leave one young branch to stake into the ground and encourage rooting. Hornbeam is an excellent firewood and it was used both as domestic fuel and. They fell the trees to create a ‘stool’ where new shoots can then grow. Historically Great Groves was managed as hornbeam coppice with oak and ash. They divide the woodland area into sections called coupes or cants, so they can cut the areas on a rotation plan to make the process sustainable. These firewood species grow rapidly, fix nitrogen, and re-sprout (coppice) quickly after cutting. Rural life interpreter, Jon Roberts, and his team are currently coppicing in the Museum’s woodlands. The Museum is continuously undertaking its woodland management programme, which runs throughout the year. They undertake a plan of sustainable woodland management to help provide firewood and other supplies for the Museum. On-site provision of timber for heat energy production removes these losses.As part of our rural life demonstrations, our interpretation team carry out coppicing to manage the working woodland at the Museum. gas power stations producing electricity) and in transportation (line losses in electricity transmission and fuel energy used to transport gas cylinders). ![]() Use of gas and electricity for heat production incurs heavy efficiency losses in conversion from one form of energy to another (i.e. Provision of on-site renewable fuel reduces net fossil fuel consumption, is carbon neutral, and reduces energy transportation wastage. ![]() Three species of trees have been selected based on their ability to provide the best heat output - these are Eucalyptus Nitens, Eucalyptus Ovata, and Acacia Dealbata. With replanting required only every 6th or 7th crop, the plantation at Totarabank will provide free firewood for residents for the next 50 years! The trees are left to re-grow for 6-8 years before being felled again. A coppicing firewood area of 900 trees has been planted that will provide the majority of Totarabank's thermal energy requirement, providing a long-term heat energy sustainability option.Ī coppicing wood is one that naturally regrows from the stump when the tree has been felled. ![]()
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