Evaluate viability and plan for coppice management

This standard is about evaluating the viability of coppice management against specific objectives and planning production.

The objectives could include financial viability, potential markets for products, location, biodiversity, habitat management and sustainability.

You will need to take account of any restrictions affecting the work e.g. designated sites, presence of listed structures, wildlife, non-native invasive or protected species etc.

Your work must conform to all the relevant legislation and codes of practice, industry standards and guidance.

1. check any statutory requirements that might be in place that may prohibit or place conditions on the work to be carried out and confirm that all required permissions and licences have been obtained
2. maintain the health and safety of yourself and others at all times, in accordance with the relevant legislation and codes of practice
3. assess the risks associated with the site and the proposed activity
4. identify the species mix and estimated age of the coppice
5. identify site features, constraints and parameters
6. identify markets and/or uses for coppiced materials
7. identify characteristics of the coppice
8. determine and agree the site objectives
9. identify and record the sustainable yield needed to meet the objectives
10. evaluate the viability of meeting the agreed objectives
11. select appropriate terms and conditions for coppice management agreements
12. formulate production plans and forecasts against available data
13. plan and evaluate an effective work schedule against agreed objectives

1. your responsibilities under the relevant health and safety legislation and codes of practice
2. how to identify hazards and assess the risks of the site and the proposed activity
3. current legislation and codes of practice, industry standards and guidance, organisational policies, procedures and protocols, business and professional ethics that are relevant to your area of work, and to which you must adhere
4. how to identify commonly coppiced species both in summer and winter
5. good practice with regard to coppicing a stool
6. the factors that affect coppice regeneration
7. the different methods for measuring timber/coppice volume when the crop is standing and felled
8. the methods for achieving a sustainable yield
9. the effects of retaining standard canopy trees and their impact on the coppice
10. the effects on yields of species mixtures
11. how to protect a coppice from damage by animals
12. the devices that can aid or speed up the production of coppice product
13. the criteria for a felling licence
14. the importance of coppice management for biodiversity
15. the habitat directives governing woodland operations
16. how to formulate production plans and work schedules
17. the importance of planning and evaluating effective work schedules against agreed objectives
18. the potential impact of your work on the environment and how this can be minimised

Objectives could include:
• financial viability
• potential markets for products
• location
• biodiversity
• habitat management
• sustainability