Coppicing is a traditional method of woodland management, by which young tree stems are cut down to a foot or less from ground level. In doing so, a multitude of new shoots is encouraged.

Above; diagram illustrating the coppicing cycle over a 7-20 year period

These shoots (or "suckers") may be used either in their young state for interweaving in wattle fencing as is the practice with willows, or the new shoots may be allowed to grow and mature into fully established tree trunks as with oaks or ashes, for the former use in shipbuilding (wooden ships) or carriagebuilding.

It may also be used to encourage specific growth patterns, as with cinnamon trees which are grown for their bark.

See also

• Pruning fruit trees
• Pollarding
• Shredding
• Apical dominance

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