Gardeners encouraged to use hazel for beanpoles
Gardeners are being encouraged to use coppiced hazel for their runner beans this year rather than bamboo poles.
National Beanpole Week (19-27 April) is being organised by The Green Wood Centre in Shropshire, to encourage the use of local products, and promote rural crafts, skills and the economy. In the late 1940’s there was estimated to be around 130,000ha of working coppiced woodland in England but by the early 2000’s this had reduced to just 21,853ha.
Hazel beanpoles are traditional and come from sustainable woodlands which, when coppiced, provide valuable habitats for wildlife such as dormice and nightingales. There is also a suggestion that bean plants perform better when supported by hazel because they have a rough, irregular surface.
Several coppice-related events are being organised throughout the country during the week and information on where to source local bean poles is provided.
The Green Wood Centre runs courses teaching woodland management and coppice craft skills.