Canley woodlands

Park Wood slopes gently to the south. A path for people with disabilities was made in 1995 in the west side of the wood and this was extended in 2002 to link with the open space on the west edge of the wood. Access to Park Wood is from Charter Avenue (on the main Canley bus route) and also by the public footpath from Westwood Heath Road.

Coppicing in Canley

When walking in Park Wood you can see evidence of previous coppicing, most notably the large Sweet Chestnuts. When a tree is coppiced (the word comes from the French 'couper' - to cut), it is referred to as a coppiced stool and is easily recognised by the many shoots growing from the one stool. When a tree is felled it sends up new shoots from the old stump and these are generally left for between 7 to 15 years before being cut again. This coppicing process ensures a regular supply of small timber for a variety of uses.

Coppicing with standards refers to the practice of allowing some trees to grow to maturity, thus providing timber and shelter for the young coppice growth. This results in a graduation from open glades to closed canopy woodland.

As the coppicing cycle progresses it provides a varied environment, especially suited to herbaceous plants, butterflies and other animals living in the woodland edge and to nesting birds. When coppicing is discontinued, as in the case here, the wood closes in, seriously affecting the open and grassland environments with a noticeable loss of woodland plants, but it also has advantages, with the increase in dead and dying wood helping hole-nesting birds - the nuthatch, woodpeckers and tree creepers.

Coppice produces the following items;

 Silver Birch:

• besoms, bobbins etc. (A)
• brush heads (B)

Sweet Chestnut:

• walking sticks (A)
• fencing (B)

A = wood up to 12 years old
B = wood between 12 and 15 years old

Main Bus Routes

18 or 18A - Pool Meadow to Charter Ave, 19 - Westwood Way (National Express West Midlands - Telephone 0871 200 2233).

Don't forget the Country Code

1. Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work.
2. Guard against all risk of fire.
3. Fasten all gates.
4. Keep dogs under control.
5. Keep to public paths across farmland.
6. Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges and walls.
7. Leave livestock, crops and machinery alone.
8. Take your litter home.
9. Help to keep all water clean.
10. Protect wildlife, plants and trees.
11. Take special care on roads.
12. Make no unnecessary noise.

Horse riding is not permitted in any of these woodlands.