Coppicing is the process whereby trees are cut down to near ground level to promote vigorous new growth. After several years the young trees produced by this process are harvested and the cycle begins again ensuring a sustainable supply of timber for future generations. Coppicing can also help prevent the manifestation of dead or diseased wood in the tree, by renewing fresh growth and the removal of old wood, allowing the tree to live longer than if it were left un-coppiced. It is a traditional method of woodland management which was maintained on the south western side of Canada Woods by previous owners.
A regular coppiced woodland has the effect of providing a rich variety of habitats, as the woodland continues to have a range of different aged coppice growth in it, which is beneficial for biodiversity.
Not all species coppice well or at the same rate. For example, birch can be coppiced on a four or five-year cycle whereas oak has a 50-year cycle for coppicing. Willow and hazel shoots can be coppiced in a young state for weaving or left to be coppiced for poles.