Why cutting a tree to its stump can actually help it live for centuries

Gardening · Published 3 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Coppicing is a traditional pruning technique that keeps trees in a juvenile, vigorous state by repeatedly cutting them back to the base. Far from killing the plant, this ancient practice allows trees to avoid old age, resulting in massive, long-lived stumps that have been managed for generations.

Coppicing involves cutting trees or shrubs back to within 5 to 7.5 centimetres of the ground, or to the previous year’s stubs. This process encourages fresh, vigorous growth from the base. While the method is often applied to trees for wood production, it is also a practical tool for gardeners. When applied to smaller shrubs, the technique is commonly referred to as stooling.

The practice is remarkably effective for managing size in small gardens, allowing owners to enjoy species like Eucalyptus that might otherwise grow too large. Beyond size control, hard pruning can be used to stimulate the production of colourful stems or large, striking foliage. For the best results, gardeners should perform this pruning in late winter or early spring, just before the plant enters its active growth phase.

Trees that are regularly coppiced do not die of old age because the system maintains them in a juvenile stage. Some ancient stools, the living stumps left behind, can reach widths of up to 5.5 metres, suggesting they have been managed for centuries. This resilience is so profound that archaeological evidence, such as the Sweet Track in Somerset, shows that coppiced timber was being harvested as far back as 3807 BCE.

Historically, this method was crucial for producing small wood for industries like charcoal iron production and tanning. To ensure a sustainable supply, systems like 'coppice with standards' were developed, where some trees were left to grow into mature timber alongside the smaller coppiced stems. Today, the practice remains a vital way to maintain biodiversity and preserve historic landscapes.

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