On Sunday 1st February, volunteers undertook coppicing, a traditional form of woodland management at High Hirst Woodmeadow. The date had been postponed due to bad weather a fortnight ago, but thankfully the majority of the volunteers were available!
Volunteers used, bow and pruning saws, loppers and billhooks to cut the hazel ‘stools’, which will stimulate the hazel to regenerate and produce ‘rods’ and ‘poles’ subsequently these will be harvested for hedging stakes, bean poles and pea sticks. These coppice products will be available to purchase from Hebden Royd Town Council to fund the on going maintenance of the site.
Resultant brash will be used to install fascines on site to slow the flow of ground water on the site and to gather the leaf litter produced within the coppice area. This will provide habitat for ground flora and for the fungal community on site. In term this will benefit invertebrates, birds and small mammals.
If you would like to get involved the next volunteer workday is on Sunday 15th February from 10am, visit the link below for more information and to book on!
https://whatsonhebdenbridge.com/events/hedgerow-maintenance-at-high-hirst-woodmeadow/
