Topley’s

Topley’s is named after the late Rob Topley, then our oldest working party member, who celebrated his 90^th birthday during one workparty. The coupe was coppiced in the winter of 1997–98, and the photographs here of the finished coupe were taken in July 1999.

Because these photos were scanned from 35mm slides, the quality is not as good as we now get from a digital image.

Click on the coloured links to see the hidden images. Note that the first coloured link typically displays the first image in the set, so you will see no change unless you go back to it!

The first two of images show two views of the coupe, from the south-west, and from the south-east. The next two images show the cordwood at the southern boundary (with the power cables visible in the background) and the pile of brash along the eastern boundary.

The final image is of one year after coppicing. There is a vigorous sward of low ground flora, especially the Common Cow-wheat on which the Heath Fritillary feeds.

Removing Standard Trees

When Topleys was reviewed for coppicing, the Trust conservation staff considered that the number of mature standards was excessive. The optimum number for wildlife is around eight per hectare. By this criterion, Topleys had at least six too many. Thus a number of oaks were earmarked for felling during the 1997–98 season.

A cut is made low down on the side of the tree on which it is intended to fall. then a second triangular cut is made, with the lower face parallel to the ground. Further cutting is done on the side that the tree will not be falling. As the tree falls, it does so away from the chainsaw operator.

The side branches are now removed and are stacked nearby. The felled tree can now be sawn into convenient logs that can be moved by tractor to an adjacent area (image below) where it can be further processed.

Planking

To facilitate removal of the timber, it is convenient to convert the trunks to planks on site, using a mobile planking machine. Each trunk is brought next to the planking machine and then winched onto the platform and secured into place. The planking saw is then brought into play.

This generates considerable quantities of sawdust which can be collected The first slices taken from the side of the log are removed to one side. The planks proper are then stacked ready for removal.

Chipping

The wood that cannot be converted to planks, and which is not intended cordwood or the habitat pile, is converted to wood chips by a chipping attachment. These chips can be collected and sold as a garden mulch.