Green scheme is revitalising woods in Leeds

Leeds Coppice Workers (LCW) is working at 11 different sites this year to bring these woods back to their former glory.

The not-for-profit organisation uses coppicing techniques where you periodically cut back sections of woodland to stimulate growth.

The group also creates eco-friendly products like ethically-produced charcoal. The charcoal is restaurant grade and has even been praised by Guardian food critic Jay Rayner in a 2017 review about solid-fuel grill restaurant The Ox Club on The Headrow, who also use LCW kindling.

LCW charcoal does its bit for the planet as it is made in its own woodlands rather than being imported and produced by large-scale deforestation.

The cooperative also makes sustainable items like wooden clothes props and plant supports, helping to reduce our dependency on materials which are made from plastic and metal.

Tom Coxhead, a director and member of LCW said: “Coppicing is an old form of woodland management where you are cutting small areas so they will regrow. It is an entirely renewable resource.”

Their work also has an added benefit for nature in that the rotational system creates different habitats for wildlife. Tom added: “Coppicing is also really important for biodiversity in terms of having a tapestry of different heights. When you cut the woods initially it will be really good for certain types of butterflies and flower species.”

This helps creates plants like wood anemones and fruit like damsons, and encourages insects. Various species of birds also benefit by having a variety of areas to feed and nest in.

The director added: “One of our primary focuses for us is creating better spaces for the communities around us in that most of the woods we manage have been neglected.”

The outdoorsman said coppicing was the main method of woodland management for hundreds of years, but it fell out of favour about 80 years ago. Practices like the clear felling system, where wood is removed in one instalment, became more prevalent.

But the LCW is keeping the age-old tradition of coppicing going at a number of sites, including Bramhope Woods, Hetchell Wood near Thorner, Briscoe Woods in Harrogate, Nutwood in East Leeds and Townclose Hills Woods, Kippax. The latter is also known locally as Billy’s Wood.

It also works with a number of city groups, enabling it to do community engagement work with people of all ages and from all backgrounds: like children, the elderly, the unemployed and recovering addicts.

LCW, whose coppice work is seasonal during the winter and spring, is also hoping to do more educational work in the summer when it runs its workshops.

Tom added: “In terms of the future of the company, getting more people outside and keeping them engaged in their local spaces is crucial. I feel there is endless potential there. There are loads of people in Leeds who probably would enjoy getting out into green space but who don’t necessarily have the impetus or facilitation to do so. Finding out how to do that, whether its kids or adults, is all good in our view. After all, when we all get old it would be nice to know there are other people who want to get out and will continue to look after the woods in their locality.”

FACT FILE:

Leeds Coppice Workers (LCW) was formed in 2012.

It is a workers’ cooperative, which is committed to restoring and managing neglected and under-used woodlands in Leeds.

The scheme’s aims are to create woodland jobs for its members, and to promote the use of locally sourced woodland products.

The project also strives to reintegrate local people to their woodlands. It wants to show how woodland can be managed in sustainable and ecologically sound ways, and how to train and share woodland skills.

LCW holds monthly volunteer days through winter and spring. This week it held a session at Nutwood. In late January and in February it will be doing more at Hetchell Wood, near Thorner, Billy’s Wood in Kippax and at Bramhope Wood.

It works with a number of organisations and with people young and old to help deliver its work. These include Hyde Park Source, Leeds GATE, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Leeds City Council, East Keswick Wildlife Trust, Yorkshire Community Woodland Society, TCV (The Conservation Volunteers) and Feel Good Factor in Chapeltown.

LCW is a not-for-profit organisation, which helps subsidise its key aims by running woodland training schemes and by selling a range of eco-friendly products like charcoal and hedging stakes.

For more see: leedscoppiceworkers.co.uk.