RECEIVING
THE WILLOW
Your Willow order will be sent by post or carrier. On arrival, plant
the cuttings as soon as possible or heel them into the ground. If
the ground is frozen they may be kept upright in a few inches of
water in a cool frost-free place until conditions improve.
SOIL PREPARATION AND PLANTING
For best results the site may be dug/cultivated and enriched with
organic matter and/or fertiliser. However, willows are very adaptable
to a wide range of soil conditions and they can establish and grow
well without digging or fertilising.
THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN ESTABLISHING A NEW WILLOW
BED OR PLANTATION IS EFFECTIVE WEED CONTROL ESPECIALLY DURING THE
1ST 2 GROWING SEASONS.
Remember all other plants including grass should be considered as
weeds. Several techniques may be employed. On a large or medium
scale, cultivation with tractor-mounted equipment, rotavator or
wheeled hoe is appropriate. However, on a small scale, a simple
and effective method is to use woven polypropylene as a weed-suppressing
mulch. If the ground has been dug or cultivated it is advisable
to allow the soil to settle or firm manually if necessary. Make
a hole with a thin metal bar then insert the cutting. Remember buds
always point upwards. Cuttings should be planted with no more than
5cm (2") above ground. Make sure cuttings are firm in the ground.
When using woven polypropylene mulch material it is important to
make the holes small enough to prevent weeds from emerging around
the base of the cutting. Also when planting through woven polypropylene
it is advisable to put a peg next to each cutting. This is to prevent
the material from rising and burying the cutting in the early stages
ol growth. Rods do not need individual pegs.. |
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PLANT
SPACING
BASKETRY
Plant with 60-70cm (2'-2'4") between rows and 30-35cm (12"-14")
between plants. This will generally produce a wide range of rod
sizes for a variety of basket types. CRAFTS e.g. living willow
structures and hurdles Plant with 90cm (3') between rows and 60cm
(2') between plants or 75cm (2'6") between rows and plants. This
will produce longer and thicker rods suitable for larger work,
The willows may also be left to grow for another year or two to
produce even larger material. This spacing is equivalent to 0.5
sq.m. per plant or 20,000 plants per hectare.
FUEL PRODUCTION
For willow logs cut on a 4-5 year cycle, plant with 1m betwen
rows and 1m between plants, 1.e. 1sq.m. per plant or 10,000 plants
per hectare. WINDBREAKS & HEDGES There are various options. 1)
Hedges: single row of cuttings 30-40cm apart. 1m mulch width 2)
Windbreaks: Triple row of cuttings 60cm between rows and plants,
staggered spacing. 2m mulch width. 3) Recommended for both windbreaks
and hedges: For economy and quick establishment - double rows
of cuttings 30cm between rows and plants, staggered spacing. 1m
mulch width.
AFTERCARE
The first year growth will be rapid, typically lm to 3m. Coppice
and pollards can then be cut back to produce more bushy growth
in the second season and subsequently cropped each year if desired.
Windbreaks and hedges can be cut to approximately 60cm (2ft) above
ground at the start of the second season. This will encourage
thicker growth lower down. Windbreaks will need no further attention.
Hedges may be periodically trimmed as any other garden hedge to
maintain the size and shape desired
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