The mosaic of different ages of tree growth suits a wide range of plants, fungi and animals. Varied canopy structure, ground dwelling plants up to the tallest tree means that wildlife has many opportunities to use the woodland habitat.
We coppice during winter while the trees are dormant and the results become apparent in springtime. Plants on the ground respond to the extra light let in after the canopy is opened. We love to see the springtime bonanza of bluebells, wood anemone and red campion flowers which carpet the woodland with color.
In the summer, Speckled Wood butterflies bask in the warm sunlight and males leck for a hot spot where they hope to woo females. Comma butterflies feed on the blackberries as autumn approaches.
The coppicing is carried out to help wildlife in the wood, but one of the uses found for the wood is to produce charcoal.
