Coppicing: The Art of Pruning for Healthy Plants

Coppicing is a traditional pruning technique applied to trees and shrubs, where plants are cut back to the ground level. This method encourages the growth of new shoots and is particularly effective in rejuvenating and renovating older shrubs. It’s easy to implement and can be utilized on various plant species.

The benefits of coppicing are numerous. This technique transforms large, single-stemmed trees into multi-stemmed shrubs, resulting in a denser and more attractive growth form. This is especially beneficial for plants with striking winter stems, such as dogwoods and certain willows, as the pruning encourages vibrant colors during the colder months. Additionally, coppicing promotes larger leaves on specific tree species, like the Catalpa and Paulownia, and can cause eucalyptus varieties to produce smaller, juvenile leaves.

Plants suitable for coppicing include:

– Acer pensylvanicum ‘Erythrocladum’
– European Beech (Fagus sylvatica)
– Dogwoods (Cornus), such as Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’
– Elderberry (Sambucus)
– Paulownia (Foxglove Tree)
– Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus gunnii)
– Hazelnut (Corylus)
– Hornbeam (Carpinus)
– Redbud (Cercis)

The best time for coppicing is in late winter or early spring, ideally between February and March, just before the plants enter their active growth phase. For shrubs like dogwoods and willows, renowned for their spectacular winter coloration, pruning typically occurs from late March to mid-April.

Executing the coppicing technique is straightforward: cut all shoots back to a height of 5 to 7.5 centimeters above the ground. For older plants, it may take up to two seasons for vigorous new growth to emerge, which is a normal occurrence when they undergo regular pruning.

Coppicing is an excellent method to promote the health and vitality of your plants while enhancing the overall beauty of your garden. Embrace this art of pruning and watch your garden flourish! 🌿🌼