Coppice Ash

I have been cutting some of the Ash Coppice that I use for my chairs. It's best cut in winter then stacked ready for use throughout the coming year. they will stay "green" for at least 12 months. The ends will dry in time but these can be cut off before cleaving.


Coppice Ash does not grow as straight as single standing trees, so unfortunately there is not as much that can be used for chair making. I have just cut down six trees from three Ash coppice bowls and made two stacks of wood the first is the one that will be used to make chairs and the second is going to be used for firewood. As you can see only about a third is suitable for chair making.

The Coppice bowls can be very ancient, some locally have been dated to medieval times, they used to be cut regularly prior to the beginning of the 20th century not just for chair making but also Charcoal and firewood, they need to be cut regularly as if the trees get too big the bowl can be damaged and rot, the coppice bowls pictured have been left too long hence the damage and rots, now that they have been harvested it will give them a new lease of life and the new growth will ensure longevity.