Throughout history, burning wood has been the main way people have produced energy for heating, cooking and other important uses. Coppicing involves repeatedly cutting back and harvesting wood from the same tree. This cutting back of the tree encourages multiple shoots of wood to grow and so increases the amount of fuel that can be obtained from it. It can be used to provide heat or, by burning it in special power stations, electricity. Coppice plantations can also provide a good habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Coppiced willow is the most advanced energy crop for northern European conditions.
Straw can also be used as a fuel. Many farms burn some of their straw in a boiler. The boiler provides hot water and central heating for the farmhouse and other farm buildings. Like wood, straw can also be burnt in power stations to produce electricity. Most children like chips for dinner.