Copse

Copse, a shortened form of coppice, both connected with Fr. couper (cut). It is a tract of underwood, the trees of which are checked in their main growth by pruning, and, therefore, throw out many shoots from the main stock. Some trees cannot be turned into coppice. Those which are most capable of it, and which are often so treated for useful purposes are the oak, the hazel, and the ash. The period during which they are allowed to grow depends upon the use for which the young growth is intended, and varies generally from ten to twenty-five years. Many of the hills of the Belgian Ardennes are covered with oak-coppice, the remains of the ancient forests, and cut over every few years, the bark being in much request for tanning.