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Coppicing is a technique for cutting shrubs and trees to ground level to encourage new shoots, and to rejuvenate and control the size of plants.
Coppicing specimens down to a stump about 600mm (24”) tall in early spring can have a dramatic effect on its final appearance.
The practice; restricts the size of trees and all the tree's energy goes into a burst of rapid young growth in early summer, plus the leaves tend to grow larger than usual.
It is particularly useful if you grow trees/shrubs for their leaf and stem colour, e.g. dogwoods / cornus, and willows, for their one or two year old coloured stems, and eucalyptus for its bluish foliage.
Shortening stems to within 10 -20mm (½” -¾”) of the stump each year circa Week 18 will ensure a continuous supply of young growth.
If growing Hazels, to produce straight canes for supports or living barriers in the garden, coppicing every few years around Week 10 will ensure a plentiful supply.
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