planting cuttings

• Plant Willow cuttings during the dormant season (Oct to March) 24” apart in rows 2 - 3’ apart. The cuttings should be about 9” long and taken from rods around ½” to ¾ “ in diameter.
• Make sure the cuttings are planted the right way up with their buds pointing upwards and are 2/3 buried in the ground.
• It is helpful to make a hole first with a metal spike. However if you do this be sure that the hole is not too big and that the cutting is in good contact with the soil. If necessary water during the first year if it is dry.
• Plant through a mulch membrane to suppress weeds. Old carpet or black plastic will do. It is best to plant cuttings in a block rather than one long row as, once growing, the cuttings on the outside will be bushier. Those in the centre of the block will produce taller straighter rods.

which species

• For Living Willow Structures the best species to use is Salix viminalis, the osier willow. Other varieties of willow can be used to add colour e.g. Salix daphnoides which has deep violet rods or Salix alba ‘vitellina’ which is yellow, but don’t use Crack Willow - it is too brittle.

harvesting

• Each year harvest the willow rods during the winter, once all the leaves have been shed. Use the rods to make willow structures or to prepare more cuttings to increase your stock.
• One year old rods can easily reach 6’ in height and can be used for domes and fedges. If you require taller rods for larger structures then allow some willow to grow for two years before harvesting. Two year old rods are stouter and may have side branches which you can prune off before the rods are used. They are good for making larger domes and arches.