98 THK sYj,Yicri/rri{AL svstkms. 



can easily he distinguislied from seedling trees. On well 

 stocked areas a complete cover is established earlier under 

 this system than in seedling forests, as the shoots develop 

 very rapidly during the first few years. A\'li<ii tlu- cover has 

 been established, the wood presents the appearance of an 

 ordinary thicket in high forest. 



If the trees are cut over at some height, say several feet, 

 from the ground, the shoots appear at the upper end of the 

 stem, which may be said to form a new crown. In that case 

 the system becomes the toppinti ai/Htmi of coppice. If the 

 main stems remain intact, or nearly so, and only the side 

 branches are cut over, the method is called the pollard im/ 

 sijHtem. No distinct line can, however, be drawn between 

 these two systems, and in many cases topping and pollarding 

 must be considered as synonymous terms. In either case the 

 trees may be cut over repeatedly, just as in ordinary coppice. 



//. /■J.r/rnial /h/iit/ns. 



Coppice suft'ers more than seedling forest from late and 

 early frosts, because the shoots grow up quickly, reach a 

 considerable size during the lirst year, are full of sap, and 

 consequently require a longer growing period in order to ripen 

 before the autumn frosts set in. On the other hand, damage 

 by frost is more easily repaired in the case of coppice, as new 

 shoots will replace those injured during the first year. Cop- 

 pice suft'ers also much more from damage by game, especially 

 deer and rabbits. Mice also do much damage. In respect of 

 other sources of damage, coppice is less aftected than high 



forest. 



c. I'roihirlinii nf Wuoil. 



Coppice yields chiefly lirewood and small timber, such as 

 pit timber, hop poles, vine props, rafters, withies for basket 

 work, etc. Oak coppice woods are cultivated for the sake of 

 the bark, which is used for tanning. The production of cubic 

 feet of wood per acre and per annum is generally smaller 

 than in the case of high forest. 



