Roe Deer in our coppice coupe 6th June
Newly coppiced trees are very vulnerable to browsing by deer which can seriously damage or even kill trees in the early stages of regrowth. The trees we coppiced in spring are no exception. Local Roe Deer have become an increasing presence on our trail cameras (see picture) and have already caused noticeable damage to new shoots growing from our regenerating Ash, Willow and Hornbeam stools.
Placing a deer fence around the coppice “coupe” is therefore an important means to ensure the survival of these trees. To that end we will be erecting a temporary deer fence this week, weather permitting. New coppices typically remain vulnerable for two to three years and we will remove the fence as soon as we are satisfied that the threat is past. As we wrote in February (see below) coppicing is the best way to rejuvenate a woodland like Lag Wood. It brings light and warmth, it restores habitats and brings new life to old woodlands. We hope you will understand that this is a necessary part of what we are doing.
