CROW (Conserve Reading on Wednesdays)
Wednesday, 10th October 2012
Clayfield Copse, Caversham ~ Coppicing

Were ash dieback, the deadly fungal disease which has been found at an ever increasing number of sites in the UK, ever to infect Clayfield Copse, the result would be devastating for most of the regenerating woodland on what was until recently open farmland, is ash.

Today we were coppicing ash to use as stakes and binders for a forthcoming hedgelaying task. The loss of ash for this purpose could have a major impact on our activities, for although other woods such as hazel can and traditionally were used, their availability locally in sufficient quantity and quality is limited.