Longevity - coppicing lengthens the life of individual trees
Although it seems counter intuitive, coppicing a tree actually lengthens its life. By removing old wood above ground the roots produce vigorous new shoots. If this process is continued regularly the tree can live many times its normal expected lifespan. Here coppiced lime stools form part of a tree in Westonbirt Arboretum.
   
The same stools as viewed as a whole. Sometimes regarded as "thousands of years old" this tree consist of a large number of coppiced stools covering a huge area. It is unknown whether the tree is of very ancient origin or whether it was "created" more recently by layering.
   
An ancient ash stool that has gone well past the point at which it should have been cut. Now the stool has become diseased and the coppicing is being undertaken gently to reduce stress to the stool. Note the cut limb on the left of the stool.
   
An ancient coppiced lime tree. One of several large leaved lime trees on the South Downs, this tree is over a thousand years old. Without its continual use as a coppiced tree it would have died over six centuries ago.
   
An unusual coppiced whitebeam discovered in coppiced woodland in a restoration cut.
Coppiced woodland provides the right environment for other long lived plants like this clump of butchers broom. Regularly coppiced woodland supports wide biodiversity.