WOODLAND carefully managed for cutting and for the manufacture of charcoal as a fuel was once common throughout much of Furness and the Lake District.

As demand for commercial woodland products such as bobbins, baskets and broom handles fell so forests were left to grow wild where once they were cut back and harvested every 10 to 15 years.

Organisations which manage woodland for its wildlife value are now taking a new look at coppicing – cutting a tree back to a short stump to foster growth of several new stems.

At Silverdale, the National Trust has posters noting: “As you walk around Eaves Wood, you may notice areas where trees have been cut down.

“Although this looks destructive, it is in fact beneficial to the health of the woodland.

“Coppicing the trees will not kill them but will encourage them to regrow from the base with renewed strength and vigour.”

Fires have always been a summer risk in the woods of Lakeland and frequently the cause is human carelessness.

This example comes from the Soulby's Ulverston Advertiser of Thursday, August 18, in 1870 and tells the story of "colliers" on the banks of Coniston who were cutting coppice wood ready to produce charcoal as a fuel.

The article noted: "Such of our readers as have had a trip uponthe Gondola, or have otherwise become acquainted with Coniston Lake, will have observed the long range of coppice and other woods upon the eastern margin of that lake.

"One of those coppices is usually called 'Twisaday wood' and was cut since last autumn."

The workmen had a fire for cooking their meals and a strong west wind was blowing.

The article noted: "Before they were aware the breeze had taken fire out of their fire place and had ignited the coppice and the flames were spreading in all directions.

"The wood cutters had only time to get their clothes out of the cabin before the fire consumed it.

"John Robinson, of Brown Howe, Blawith, saw the fire and crossed the lake with his two sons."

Together with the wood cutters, they kept the fire partly in check until the alarm was spread to the Nibthwaite Bobbin mills.

It noted: "The master, men and boys all hastened to the place and ultimately the fire was subdued.

"It is said that the fire spread over more than four acres."