1 tree or 3

Would anybody know what caused this? It looked to me to be a dead tree trunk with 3 smaller trees growing directly from the dead stump. I don't know if this is a common thing or not, or if it is all part of the same tree, or maybe someone did this

Thanks :D

 

Hi H,

It's called coppicing (pronounced copsing) With some deciduous trees, hazel, willow usually, if you cut them off at the base they will grow multiple stems back.

It prolongs the life of the tree, we don't yet know how long for, and is used in woodland management to produce different sized timber products, poles, smaller branches for making hurdles, baskets, besoms etc.

 

Thanks guys....did not think there would actually be a name for it lol :D