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Dave makes sustainable wooden products out of the wood he cuts down when coppicing

Early interest in trees

Dave Dibden, 57, has lived in Totton on the outskirts of the New Forest all of his life. His grandfather worked for the Barker Mill Estate – owned by a well-known Hampshire family – and would take the young Dave out with him to the woods he coppiced. He taught Dave how to gather bean and pea sticks and about sustainable woodland management.

From carpentry to forestry

After leaving school Dave took up an apprenticeship in carpentry at a local shipyard but it wasn’t until he saw an advert for local forestry workers, Dave knew he’d found his vocation. He worked for the Forestry Commission for 15 years, learning about traditional ways of working the woods, before striking out on his own.

Did you know?

Dave is interested in keeping other old country crafts alive, such as hedge-laying and charcoal burning (on a small scale). He is a member of the Hampshire Coppice Group

Good for woods

Coppicing is done in the winter (October to March) when there is little or no sap in the trees. Trees are cut back regularly so there are always some open areas where warmth and light can reach the ground. This is normally done in eight to 10 year cycles.

The open space encourages plant growth as light can now reach the woodland floor. A variety of insects, butterflies and plants will return to the clearings, which otherwise would not be possible under the dark canopy of the more mature trees.

Coppice crafts

Dave now runs his own business, New Forest Coppice Crafts and as well as coppicing he makes a whole range of sustainable products from the local wood he cuts.

Some of the products Dave makes:

• walking sticks
• pens
• key rings
• besom brooms
• whistles
• candle holders
• coat hooks
• ladybird feeders
• bird boxes

For more information email dave at: dibby5@tiscali.co.uk or call him on 023 8087 2679.

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