Here I am working with my axe to chop up some freshly cut alder trees harvested from one of our pastures. These were from ~30 trees that were prepared for our pollard demonstration.
A coppice is when trees re-grow quickly from live stumps, which are harvested about every 5 years. A pollard is when the tree is cut from a stump that is tall enough to be out of reach of the grazing animals. It is an excellent way to quickly grow wood, improving soil while continuing to provide shade for the animals and grass in the pastures.
The coppice attempt a few years ago failed because the animals ate the young alder shoots. I’m excited to track the progress this year!
In the mean time, the wood harvested is drying so it can help heat the house next winter.