The wood that we fell and coppice in the winter is sorted so that the best use can be made of the different sizes and species, out of which a variety of products can be made

Willow for weaving

CAT have a variety of osier willows that are coppiced once a year. Osier are a variety of willow that has been bred for its colourful stems. This material can be used to weave useful objects such as baskets.

Bean poles

The best bean poles are hazel (Corylus avellana) rods measuring 8ft long with a slight taper and roughly 1in diameter at its fattest end. Some gardeners like the small side branches removed to leave a clean pole; other gardeners like the branches removed but with an inch left attached as these act as footholds for the plants to climb. If taken in and stored during the winter poles like this will last years.

Pea sticks

Used for peas, dwarf beans and other climbing plants, we cut the off the tops of hazel rods where the twigs create a lovely flat fan shape. These can be cut to varying heights from 4ft high fans to larger 6ft high fans.

Garden plant supports

Smaller straight branches snedded to remove side twigs and cut to around 4ft-6ft are useful all around the garden.

Hedging stakes

We use large diameter poles of around 2in diameter and cut to 5ft long. They can be made from any species so they are a very useful product to create. Longer lasting hedge stakes can be made from chestnut (Castanea sativa).

Round timber poles

Mainly Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and larch (Larix spp.) poles at least 20 years old and 5-6 in diameter are used on courses and for round wood building constructions.