How to Farm Willow Trees

Willows are a type of tree that grows primarily in wet soils in cold and temperate regions. They come in a variety of sizes, but all are noted for their fast growth and ability to survive in saturated soils, even with their roots underwater. They are extremely hardy and sprout vigorously even from the roots of destroyed trees or from small branches left on the ground.

Willows have a variety of agricultural uses, and the management of a plantation of willows is fairly straightforward. Willows are usually planted from cuttings, or "poles" grown in a nursery, which can be bought at various stages of maturity, depending on how fast you want to establish your willow plantation.

Things You'll Need

• Willow cuttings
• Shovel
• Plastic tree sleeves

Instructions

1. Determine the proper type of willow for your climate and planting area by consulting a tree guide or asking an expert at the local nursery. Some willows grow better in completely saturated areas, and some will better tolerate a certain amount of dryness in the field. Overall, however, a field for planting willows should be very damp for much of the year.

2. Eliminate as much brush and undergrowth from the planting area as possible.

3. Slice the lower ends of the willow cuttings at a 40 degree angle and soak in water for eight to 12 days before planting.

4. Dig holes down to about a third the length of your willow cuttings, but narrow so that you don't have to do too much filling in. Keep the holes about 30 feet apart to allow for the growth of the roots.

5. Plant each pole's lower end (which will be thicker) down in the hole, and refill the hole.

6. Place plastic tree sleeves around the bottoms of the planted poles to prevent animals from nibbling on the bark.

7. Check the poles again after a season to make sure that they haven't started to come loose within their holes. Repack the soil if they wiggle around when you gently shake them. Once roots are established, willows are very hard to kill, and will need little care. They may grow up to 10 feet a year, depending on the variety, so keep in mind what you plant to use them for and harvest accordingly.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the willows wet when you transport them from the nursery, or the bark will dry out and they will die before they are established.

• If some of the cuttings die during the first couple of years, simply replace them with new ones.

References

• National Poplar and Willow User's Group: Growing Poplar and Willow Trees on Farms
• AlternativeTechnology.info: Growing Wood for Fuel