Growing short rotation coppice for biofuel, chipping, board manufacture or crafts

Short rotation coppice involves growing trees on two to five year cycles, mainly for wood-fuel. Other uses include garden mulches and particle board manufacture.

Willow and poplar trees are the most common species used for short rotation coppice. They can be productive for 30 years or more.

Forestry Commission: The establishment and management of short rotation coppice - a grower's guide (Adobe PDF - 117KB)

Forestry Commission: Short rotation coppice in the landscape (Adobe PDF - 6.19MB)

Forestry Commission: Short rotation coppice information

For information on varieties and yields from trials across the UK, see the Forestry Commission's research pages.

Forestry Commission: Short rotation coppice

Scottish Rural College (SRUC): Willow short rotation coppice

Forest Service Northern Ireland: Short rotation coppice scheme

Environmental News Blog

Stay informed: Coronavirus (COVID-19), In this challenging time, NetRegs’ running organisations the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) have created information websites to keep you informed on the current situation....
NetRegs: Supporting businesses across Scotland and Northern Ireland, Businesses in Scotland and Northern Ireland have a huge role to play in helping to deliver world-leading climate change action, not only by ensuring environmental compliance, which is non-negotiable, but going beyond compliance to achieve a low carbon and circular economy.