English Coppices and Copsewoods. 



30r 



different portions of one working circle. The principal object 

 was the growth of oak timber for the navy ; and the free, 

 isolated position of standard trees in the copsewoods (as also 

 in hedgerows) was the very best manner imaginable for 

 producing the strong knees and natural crooks required for 

 .the purposes of shipbuilding, and for stimulating the rate ol 

 growth into useful, marketable size. 



Long previous to this date mere enclosure, or cncoppicemcnt, 

 .as it was termed, was not solely relied on for obtaining a good 

 .and thick growth of underwood. Natural regeneration and 

 reproduction were often assisted by sowing or planting, as a 

 catalogue of the w 7 oods in the New Forest in 1565 mentions 

 some of them as having been " set" with oak and beech. In 

 raising King James' new coppice woods, " the planting of the 

 .acorns by men's hands " was, of course, sowing or dibbling ; 

 but planting of young trees was probably far from unusual, as 

 Fitzherbert deals with the removal and planting of trees in 

 his Book of Husbandry (1523). But dibbling at 3s. an acre 

 had the great advantages of cheapness and simplicity. An 

 impetus to planting was, no doubt, given by the publication, 

 in 1 6 13, of Arthur Standish's Neiv Directions of Experience. . 

 . . for the planting of Timber and Fire-wood, etc., a small book of 

 34 pages. A second edition of it was published, " authorised 

 by the King's most Excellent Majesty," in 16 15, and King 

 James even prefixed this with a royal proclamation exhorting 

 his subjects to give heed to the recommendations therein 

 made for the increase of timber and firewood. 



As to how far James I.'s scheme of management for the royal 

 woodlands was carried out, and when it was abandoned^ 

 nothing definite can be said. Apparently the matter was 

 gradually lost sight of officially in later times, and the only 

 special adoption of a subsequent regular Working Plan for any 

 of the royal coppices or copsewoods is that drawn up for the 

 High Meadow Woods in the Forest of Dean (Gloucestershire), 

 in 1897, to which reference will afterwards be made. 



After the Restoration the subject of Arboriculture in general 

 seems to have received greater attention than had been given 

 to it since the time of James I., though we may perhaps be 

 misled in this matter by the brilliant reputation immediately 



