Vincent van Gogh, Pollard Birches (1884). Pencil, pen and ink, and watercolor on paper. Public domain. 

Most woody plants evolved the ability to resprout when damaged by storm, fire, browsing, or other disturbances.

Coppicing—the intentional harvest and management of woody regrowth to produce small diameter wood—has at least an 8,000-year history in Europe. Various kinds of resprout silviculture buttressed human survival from the Stone Age to Early Modern times throughout the world: the breadth of products we can make from coppice ranges widely. Coppice charcoal even powered the Industrial Revolution that led to coppicing’s near extinction! Climate chaos now requires that humanity transition from a hydrocarbon economy to a carbohydrate economy, and resprout silviculture will likely play a key role in getting us to the next century.

What is coppicing? What can we make with coppice? How does plant biology effect management? What kinds of coppice systems might we use and how might we establish them? How does coppicing effect ecosystems?

This two-part workshop will explore these questions, and provide concrete approaches to designing and managing woody resprouts for homestead and small farm economies.

Planted rows of coppiceable species suitable for live staking at the Horn Farm Center (January 2024). 

Friday Evening Lecture

October 17, 7PM - 9PM | Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster PA

On Friday night, Dave will discuss the history, culture, biology, and management of woody resprouts. While attendees can join this presentation as a stand-alone session to inform their own research and practice, the presentation will also provide essential underpinnings for a hands-on workshop at the Horn Farm Center the following day. 

Coppice cycle graphic, courtesy of Dave Jacke. 

Saturday Hands-On Workshop

October 18, 8:30AM - 5PM | Horn Farm Center, York PA

On Saturday, we’ll explore coppice biology and its implications for management in greater depth, focusing on how management effects plant carbon storage and resprout capacity. We’ll engage with the Horn Farm Center's agrofrestry systems to ground our biology and management lessons, as well as assess the potential products of the farm's coppicable species. We’ll also discuss establishing new plantings and converting existing woodlands to coppice agroforestry.

Basketry willow varieties undergoing annual coppicing with volunteers at the Horn Farm Center (December 2022). 

Program Notes:

Attendance: Community members can engage with this workshop in two ways:

1. Attendance at Friday evening's lecture as a stand-alone session.
2. Attendance at both the 10/17 lecture and 10/18 hands-on workshop at the Horn Farm Center.

Since Saturday's coverage hinges on Friday's lecture topics, there is no option to register for Saturday as a stand-alone experience. 

Spaces for the lecture-workshop package are limited. We recommend registering early!

Details below apply only to the Saturday, October 18th session at the Horn Farm Center: 

• Arrival: Parking takes place in the field above the farmhouse. Plan to arrive 10 minutes early so we can begin the class on time. Information about our meeting location will be shared in a reminder email in the week preceding the class. 
• Audience: This program is designed for adult learning only. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a registering adult. 
• Environment: This class will take place primarily outdoors. Please check the weather in advance and dress accordingly. Expect a fair bit of walking with potentially muddy conditions.  
• What to Bring: 
  • Pad and pencil for notetaking
  • Refillable water bottle 
  • Bagged lunch and snacks as preferred. Refrigeration space is available for storing lunches. 
  • Clothing suitable for time spent outdoors on the farm. We encourage closed-toe shoes and long pants to protect against tick exposure. 
  • All tools for hands-on engagement--gloves, pruners, loppers, etc.--will be provided. 

Basketry willow coppicing demonstration at the Horn Farm Center (February 2024). 

Additional Details:

Friday Evening Lecture: This portion of the workshop will take place on the campus of Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. Specific details about parking and room location will be provided via email following your registration. 

Cost: This program uses sliding scale pricing to improve accessibility. When registering, you can chose the pricing tier that best suits your financial situation. Be aware that a limited number of spaces are allocated to register at the reduced rate.

Standard program cost reflects the amount that would be charged for this program without sliding scale flexibility:

• Friday, 10/17 lecture | $15 
• 10/17 lecture + 10/18 workshop | $115 standard cost with sliding scale flexibility. 

Cancellation: All programs are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances including inclement weather. Participants will receive an email in the days preceding the program for any changes or cancellations. You can review our current Cancellation and Refund Policy here. 

Coppice management examples: linden, Tilia spp. (left) and common hazel, Corylus avellana (right). Images courtesy of Dave Jacke.

About the Instructor: Dave Jacke

Dave Jacke has researched, designed, managed, and propagated agricultural ecosystems since the 1980s. He is the primary author of the classic two-volume tome Edible Forest Gardens, and contributed meaningfully to Mark Krawczyk’s recent opus Coppice Agroforestry. He homesteads in Western Massachusetts.