Should you coppice when it's frosty?

QuirkyQuercus

I was wondering whether frost will damage newly cut hazel coppice in the days immediately after cutting, damage the coppice stool or the prospects of regrowth. Should you wait until you have a few days without freezing temperatures or does it not really matter?

Similarly, I would be interested to know about frost damage on pruning wounds.

I live in eastern England, so we're not talking about -30 or anything, although we are in a bit of a long-term freeze at the moment.

Cheers

Garry Brockley

I did a coppice course in lincolnshire with an old guy who had won numerous competitions over the years like champion 10 years in a row and i asked him that question he said no it doesn't make any difference, do you use a bill hook or a chainsaw? i found the bill hook (old style)when sharp was harder work but alot faster.

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QuirkyQuercus

Thanks. We're using just hand tools. For the bigger coppice I like to use a robust pruning saw. With bowsaws the handles get in the way but with a Silky handsaw you can get between the stems and you get a nice clean cut.
Billhook's good for the smaller stuff.

Garry Brockley

If you had seen this guy work you would have changed your mind on bill hooksfor bigger stuff he would lay 200mm wide peices in a few seconds we stood in awe whilst watching him, but yes silkys are the dogs for that kind of application. whats the going rate for a laid chain now? it used to be £100

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QuirkyQuercus

We coppice mainly for conservation purposes and the stuff we cut tends to be taken by the West Stow Country Park who do all sorts of re-enactments using traditional materials, although we do provide pea-sticks. We're not really big enough to be commercial. I did volunteer for a year at Bradfield Woods, an ancient woodland here, where Pete Fordham, the manager, has the unenviable task of trying to make it pay! He tries his best though - they even gave him an MBE for it!

Garry Brockley

unfortunately the old ways are withering up which is such a pity it wasn't a reliable income 14 years ago and now it must be much harder.
i hear the snow is really bad this year that must be such a hold up on things

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