A coppice is a small woodland where trees are cut down to ground level every few years, but not killed. Instead of dying, these stumps sprout multiple new shoots that grow into thin, flexible branches. After 5 to 10 years, foresters harvest these branches for firewood, fencing, or tool handles, then cut the stumps again to start the cycle over.

This ancient woodland management technique dates back thousands of years. Before factories mass-produced goods, people needed a steady supply of wood for everyday items: walking sticks, broom handles, hurdles for corralling sheep, and charcoal for blacksmithing. By coppicing their woodlands instead of clear-cutting them, communities ensured they'd have wood forever.

Trees like hazel, willow, and oak respond especially well to coppicing. Some coppiced trees in Europe are over 1,000 years old, their massive stumps sending up fresh shoots year after year. These old coppices create unique habitats where wildflowers bloom in the sunlight streaming through young, thin branches.

The word can also be used as a verb: a forester might coppice a stand of hazel trees each spring. While less common today, coppicing continues in places where people value traditional woodworking or want to maintain historic woodlands.