The new book, Coppicing and Coppice Crafts, A comprehensive Guide, by Rebbecca Oaks and Edward Mills, is just that.  I found it covers a wide range of subject matter in an easy to follow readable  format.  The hardback has a nice colourful jacket and the book itself is well illustrated with pictures and diagrams.

The authors, have crammed the book with practical information. The chapters cover how to go about looking for the right wood, the indispensable tools and equipment needed while avoiding expensive and inappropriate outlay, a chapter on the biodiversity benefits and the amazing abundance of nature thus created, a chapter on hazel coppice and another chapter on the versatile uses for other wood materials, wood fuel, charcoal making, and lastly invaluable advice on how to set up a coppice business.

The information presented is like attending a SWOG meet  where we are privy to a speaker who shares his/her expertise and knowledge freely and accessibly.  It is well laid out, concise and I have learnt much, as well as revisited subjects hiding  in the recesses of my brain.  It reminds us of the importance of bringing neglected coppice back into cycle and why we should be informing and educating those around us who may see it as destructive or just want woodlands left untouched for  dog walking.

This book is not just for those keen to learn this ancient way of woodland management; it’s also a book for new woodland owners, for those who love woodlands and for those who enjoy crafting things in wood. It’s  one of those books which is easy to dip in and out of as you come in excitedly from the woods to look up a specific subject and  one that I’m happy to recommend to fellow members.

It is priced at £19.95, but can be had cheaper direct from the publisher, Crowood Press,  or Amazon and Waterstones.

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Richard Hare
SWOG website editor

[email protected]
www.swog.org.uk