CHAPTER X. 



TREATMENT OF COPPICE SYSTEMS. 



SIMPLE COPPICE. 



THERE can be no doubt that the system of simple coppice 

 must in the near future almost disappear, if not entirely so, 

 unless some more profitable use for its produce should 

 present itself than is at present in vogue. The treatment, 

 however, may be considered in some detail, since the 

 management of the underwood grown under the other 

 coppice systems will be largely governed by the same 

 principles. 



When dealing with an area under coppice, one of the most 

 important points to settle is the length of the rotation that 

 should be adopted. 



This will depend upon the species of coppice grown and 

 the purposes to which it is intended that the produce should 

 be put. 



The following will show some of the rotations that are 

 suitable under certain circumstances : 



Length of Rotation. 

 Years. 



Pure Oak coppice, grown for bark . . .-.,:. 16 



Alder coppice (suitable on wet soils) . ; ;, ,25 to 30 



Ash and Spanish Chestnut, for hop poles ,, 14 16 

 Ash and Spanish Chestnut, for split hurdles 



and crate wood .'" . . . ".' V 10 15 



Ash and Spanish Chestnut, for barrel hoops . 6 10 



Hazel . . = ... > V : . . . 6 



Coppice poles, for pit props ., . . . 25 to 30 



The reproductive power of trees when coppiced is a 

 matter of much importance. 



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