The Coppice

[Acrylic-bob]

I rather like the trees, but I do agree that they were not the most sensitive solution to the problem of erosion. BTW the species is European Larch (Larix Europaea) and is native to this country.
I can remember, when I was a lad, that the northern face of the coppice was covered with whinberry (Vaccinium Myrtillus) which was full of berries in late summer; also known as bilberry. Walter Smith Bakers on Whalley Road used to make the most exquisite Whinberry pies - sweet and sharper than a serpents tooth. One does not see them used much these days, more's the pity.

I do feel that we should preserve as much of our past as is practical. But we cannot save everything or we risk turning the whole of the borough into a museum and I am sure that nobody wants to live in a museum. The monument could be restored, but the shelter, the gift of Lady Higham I believe, is an eyesore and a magnet for vandals and should be demolished.

I notice that in the link supplied by Graham, Lancs CC see the Coppice as an opportunity for signage - as if we didn't already have enough of the bloody things cluttering the place up. I vote that Lancs CC be told to keep their politically correct noses out of things that do not concern them. The Coppice belongs to the people of Accrington, not to Lancashire County Council and its faceless beurocrats, stakeholders, key workers and associated freeloaders.

 

[garinda]

BTW the species is European Larch (Larix Europaea) and is native to this country.

Although it grows very well here, and has been planted here for a long time and has become somewhat naturalised, it isn't a native tree to Britain.

Elizabeth I certainly never sat under one, as it wasn't introduced to these shores until 1620

'The European Larch is native to the mountains of middle Europe, such as the Alps and the Carpathians.'

LarchEuropeanC

Send the buggers back.

 

[Acrylic-bob]

Thank you for the correction Dr. Lineus, I still think that they are attractive trees.

 

[garinda]

Thank you for the correction Dr. Lineus, I still think that they are attractive trees.

My pleasure to set you right.

By the way, it's plain old Rindy Thrower, not Dr. Lineus.

 

[Acrylic-bob]

Which is all very well Miss Jekyll, but what would you do with the Coppice were you to be given a free hand?

 

[garinda]

Which is all very well Miss Jekyll, but what would you do with the Coppice were you to be given a free hand?

I have no problem with the trees being there, if they are coppiced properly. If tended well it would ensure there will still be a wonderful view from the top of the hill, and it would also ensure the flora and fauna would flourish more readily under the regularly coppiced trees, because they'd have more light.

Gertie x

 

[Acrylic-bob]

It is not possible to coppice conifers.

 

[garinda]

It is not possible to coppice conifers.

That is why the Larch shouldn't be grown there.

Yes to Ash, Elder, Oak, Hazel, Wych-elm, Lime, or Hornbeam.

 

[Acrylic-bob]

Fair point, but you missed Willow, which can be pollarded too.

 

[garinda]

Fair point, but you missed Willow, which can be pollarded too.

She can?

 

[magpie]

The trees need to come down: there are far too many and it spoils the view:

 

[alan7554]

so they might decide to renovate the shelter,what a good idea,some where else for the wino,s and druggies to spend their nights in comfort

 

[Ianto.W.]

The trees need to come down: there are far too many and it spoils the view:

Right on magpie, give them away for Christmas or for recycling, I'll guarantee there gone in a fortnight.

 

[Eric]

Fair point, but you missed Willow, which can be pollarded too.

That's a little extreme ... I don't think that she will sit still for it

 

[WillowTheWhisp]

ooer.......

 

[ChrisMG]

The trees need to come down: there are far too many and it spoils the view:

The original name of the coppice is North rake. Look at all the old maps. It was also originally wooded. The bare coppice everyone remembers fron the 50s, 60s and 70s wasn't how its always been and was an eyesore. Just look at the pic. If it hadn't been planted it would have all started eroding like the "eagle" or devils bit as we used to call it. It didn't help that we always used to slide down the side on cardboard every summer, scorching all the grass.
I personally think the coppice is iles better than it used to be, just needs a little trim for all the shortarses to be able to have a view and all the vandals want hanging by their wotsits.

 

[Nickelson]

No that is not a eyesore the current coppice is a eyesore. Stick a few trees on a nice monument for peels and the pals and bang restored . When they were going to do the Hollywood style 'Accrington', They were going to make a pals walk this should be one idea.

 

[cashman]

entitled to yer opinion ChrisMg, but i do not think it was an eyesore in 50s/60s, what it is now is an eyesore.

 

[ChrisMG]

I agree the monument and shelter need sorting, but a wooded coppice is better than a bare eroding coppice.
Even with whatever trees there are there, Larch, conifers whatever, theres a damn site more wildlife living there now than before.

Trees eyesores! I just don't get it.

 

[cashman]

Restore it, and plant some Dessiduous and native trees, scrub out the phoney conifers when possible. This will encourage wild life to return to the Coppice, you will not find any wildlife amongst these small leafed or needle leafed trees. Birds won't nest in them rabbits cannot feed beneath them as they block all the light from the floor canopy, nothing grows under conifer / fir type trees, They are not native to our shores in the 'main', the are set ot like an army . Take a look at 40s 50s photographs and see the difference,you can actually see the Coppice as it should be.

that i thinks explains it Chris, the "type" of freebie trees planted there are not much good for wildlife.