Our Woodlands (Photos by Dawn Gray)

The Sweet Chestnut that we coppice (also known as Spanish Chestnut) was first brought to southern England by the Romans some time after they invaded Britain in about 43 AD. It mostly grows in the south eastern corner of England, where it grows very well, and is ideal for making our traditional trugs.

The Chestnut is “coppiced”. This is a traditional form of woodland management and ensures the well being of flora and fauna in the woodlands. When the trees are cut plants such as bluebells become dormant and other, sun loving flowers and plants grow instead. From the one tree cut, several new trees will grow on the same stump, or bowl, and that ensures plenty of usable chestnut in the woodlands for years to come.  As the trees re-grow they form cover on the woodland floor and shade loving flowers and plants (like bluebells) take sway once again. A well managed woodland is also enjoyable to walk through and observe the changes to flora and fauna.

When the Chestnut is cut it is sawn at a 45 degree angle so that the rain runs off the stump to prevent rotting. The year after cutting there are three or four new shoots growing off that stump and these will become full trees. Some stumps, also known as bowls, will sport anything up to eight new trees. We use trees that are between 8 – 12 years old. Our requirement for coppiced chestnut helps keep woodland management skills alive, and our woodsmen,  are committed to their work and the well being of the woodland environment.

The Latvian and Finnish Birch ply that we use is harvested in Scandinavia and Europe, and European Law dictates that each tree that is cut must be replaced by two more.