Two day coppicing course by Phil Hopkinson
Helping restore local woodland
COPPICING COURSE DATES
4th - 5th February 2012 - FULLY BOOKED
18th - 19th February 2012- FULLY BOOKED
3rd - 4th March 2012
10th -14th September 2012 "Week in the woods"
15th - 16th September 2012
20th - 21st October 2012
10th - 11th November 2012
Interested in spending time in native woodlands and learning about their management? Then why not spend a magical weekend in a wonderful Worcestershire woodland!
The two day coppicing courses I run are an introduction to coppicing. They are a mixture of theory sessions which include tree identification but mainly practical sessions.
The training courses start with a walk through the woods looking at various compartments that have been coppiced over the last twelve years, over-stood coppice, and some coniferous blocks. The benefits of coppicing, ring barking and the importance of glades and rides are shown. We look at the differences between native deciduous woodland and conifer habitats and learning tree ID.
Aspects covered on the course include planning the work area, looking at various devices, building work breaks and stacks.
A section of a coppice coupe is worked. This coupe is in rotation coppice, usually predominantly Ash. We work through the whole process from start to finish. The culmination of the process is a session on turning the coppice into a range of products such as Pea sticks, Bean poles, hedging stakes and binders. Working methods, material selection, processing, and storage are all covered on the course. There is a practical session on coppicing Hazel and how to stack and store Hazel products.
The tools used are traditional tools such as a Woodman's vice, side axe and Billhook as well as more modern tools such as bowsaws.
Breaks are taken in one of my woodland workshops where a meal cooked on the fire and drinks are provided. These are included in the course fee.
The course is usually on a weekend.
The price is £100 for a two day course.
Click the button below to download a booking form.
My courses take place at Ravenshill Woodland Reserve, Alfrick, Worcestershire, which is a 50 acre privately owned nature reserve, which has a patchwork of diverse habitat including many indicator species of ancient semi-natural woodland. It has both deciduous and various conifer species.
Camping is available in the wood for course participants on two day courses at a cost of £6 per night per person. There are also some excellent hotels and B&B'S locally. Please go the links page for local accommodation.
Click here to go to a googlemap of Ravenshill.
My gift vouchers are an ideal present for christmas, a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion and a way to give your friend or loved one the chance to spend time in the woodland and learn more about the traditional craft of coppicing.
Click here to view my terms and conditions.
All pictures have been taken by myself in woodlands that I have worked.