NEEPS

Lisa · Neepster Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Posts: 237 Location: Clola

Hello all,
We planted some willow three years ago and are interested in both fuel and willow hedging or sculpture. Some of ours have taken a while to take off and are still small but I have quite a few that have done really well this year and was thinking of taking some cuttings so any advice on the right time of year/weather etc would be great. I am scared of cutting them to try to produce new trees or hedges as they have taken a while to get going and I don't want to ruin what we have but I have a lot of gaps along the roadside to fill! Looking at someone elses would be a great help so I can compare how ours are or should be at this stage.
I could bring that metal mop bucket with me

I am off to see my mom tomorrow who is very ill so wont be back online until the end of the week but will check back to see how everyone is getting on ASAP.
Lisa.

Smooth Hound · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 4:04 pm Post subject:

you will need to cut them to the ground, above the first bud anyway, probably about 3 inches left, so you can make as many cuttings as you need, if you cut them into 10 inch lenghths and push them 6 inches into the ground, i find it best to put them through polythene.
but you will need to cut back your rods even if you dont use them , if you want more rods, once you have had them going a couple of yrs like that, then you can start growing 2 and 3 yr old rods,

Smooth Hound · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 4:33 pm Post subject:

as for time of yr , theres a week during feb which is always nice, that would be a good time, so if you get your plastic down now , then youll be ready

your plastic, either dig in at the edges in abot 2 ft wide lenghths, or if you have a source of old tyres, just lay your plastic down and put you tyres on top of it and plant in the aspces. it works out that way with 13/14/15 inch tyres.

Julie · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject:

When we first planted ours I went to a lot of trouble strimming the grass around them twice a year (and got into a lot of trouble every time because I barked a few). The third year, I hadn't time or the inclination to bother with it and it grew much better with the shelter of the long grass.
Whether it was because the weather couldn't give it windburn or it didn't have to keep recovering from my strimming accidents is debatable. I have since read an article by someone who found that leaving the grass to grow long around his young willows stopped the rabbits from eating them. In view of this, I personally wouldn't bother with the time and expense of the plastic. Gordon coppiced every other one the first time - not sure what his plans for it are currently.
We have used it for fuel in the Rayburn and it burns fine as long as it isn't still wet. You are left with a great many irritating twigs though. I snipped most of ours up the first time and gave myself blisters from the secateurs. I had a whole log basket full which took less than an hour to burn. The blisters, on the other hand, took several weeks to heal so I incinerated them the next time. I should have put them through the shredder really.
I also made a living willow dome in the field but it was quite unruly and determined to free itself and reach for the sky, so we cut it down and the sheep munch on the shoots whenever they go into that field.
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Smooth Hound · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:06 pm Post subject:

:oops: well i did some in 2 ft wide plastic , and some on open, and although you ae right they will get going eventually, if you can keep the weeds down , and keep the moisture in, with the plastic, you willow will be away in yr 1 going well, but without it your behind a yr or 2

Forget-me-Not · Neepster Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Posts: 1031 Location: Insch

Hi,
Could you count me in too? We're willow beginners and very interested.

Can bring jam, eggs and my latest love, Date and Ginger Cake?

Thanks
Forget-me-Not
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wildgarlic · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:36 am Post subject:

http://the-goodlife.blogspot.com/search/label/willow has some info that may be of use!
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Forget-me-Not · Neepster Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Posts: 1031 Location: Insch

Hi,

Thanks! While I'm here i'm happy for the pic to go to the other group (that is you isn't it?) but how do I do it?

Beth
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www.womblehouse.blogspot.com

The Community that composts together survives together.

'Simplicity is the whole secret of wellbeing.' Peter Matthiessen.

Cockadoodledoo · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:21 pm Post subject:

davyravy · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 7:54 pm Post subject:

Went to a local nursery asking about cost of willow rods - reckoned £1 each. As am hoping to plant about half an acre - that price would bankrupt me! - any ideas on cheaper sources?