Quote:
Originally Posted by
On Feb 19, 5:54*pm, Pam Moore wrote:
I have a self-sown, or more likely squirrel-sown hazel on my
allotment. *Last year I cut off the longest branches (rather spindly)
to use as pea-sticks. *I have just made a second cut this week.
It now looks a mess, and I think it might be right to coppice it.
Any advice? *When to cut, how close to soil etc, or should it have a
few more years growth to thicken up? *It's only a few years old and
was about 8 ft before I cut it this week, and now about 6 ft.
Perhaps I should let it grow to give a crop of nuts in a few years.
No sign of catkins as yet, but I've not given it much of a chance!!!
Pam in Bristol
I am sorry that I can't give you any advice. I am using your blog to
complete an homework assignment. Thanks for being a good example.
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Cut it low and then let it grow for a few years. You can use some of the smaller side branches for peas, as the main branches thicken they can be used for beans, and anything bigger can be used as handles for rakes, hoes etc. I use one for a rake handle which is 8 foot long - saves a lot of work. By the time the branches are that big you should have had some catkins and nuts.