Case Study – Traditional skills

Traditional skills such as pollarding, coppicing and pleaching are used to manage the riverside for wildlife, helping to improve habitats for fish, birds, butterflies, dragonflies and plants. You can see where we have used these traditional skills along the river in Ross on Wye, where we have been working with Ross Town Council.

Pollarding

The tree is cut back above the height of grazing animals, to encourage vigorous fresh growth. It helps prolong the life of a tree by reducing its weight, so it is less likely to split or fall. Fresh growth soon appears the following year.

pollard comp

Coppicing

The tree is cut down at its base to encourage vigorous growth of new stems to create a sustainable timber supply. New growth provides shelter for wildlife. Coppiced trees are less likely to be affected by disease. Traditionally, willow trees along the river bank were coppiced to allow men called ‘bow hauliers’ to pull wye trows upstream. The cut willow stems were used to make baskets. Ross on Wye had a thriving basket making industry in the past.

Coppicing

Pleaching

The tree is ‘hinged’ at its base and laid along the river bank so the tree continues to grow. Branches dangling in the water give shelter to small fish, slowing the flow and protecting the river bank. The mixture of light and shape helps regulate water temperature and oxygen levels.

pleach

Willow Weaving

In some places willow is woven to form a protective, living barrier to help prevent the river eroding the meadows.

Traditional skills Willow weaving

Menu