One of the most vigorous and hardy varieties of Willow commonly available. Because of its fast rate of growth (up to 8 feet in one year – including the first year!) it makes an excellent windbreak and can be used to make a ” Fedge “, and it tolerates wet, heavy soils and extreme conditions, such as cold winds on exposed sites or salty winds on the coast. Growth can be cut back each winter, providing heavy weaving material, or rods for living willow structures, and encouraging denser fresh growth, or left to grow taller and thicker which can be cut in later years for logs.

Freshly cut Willow is flexible and pliable but must be treated with some care as any living plant should be. Ideally the rods should be used immediately upon cutting however they can be stood upright with the butts (thicker cut end) in 6 inches of water in a dark shed or garage for a couple of months before use. If this method is used then the bottom 6 inches of the rod should be removed immediately prior to planting. It will have formed roots, which will be damaged on planting, and this section of stem will be deleted of natural rooting hormone, so new roots will not form.

The willow we despatch should be unpacked immediately upon receipt and used within a couple of days or stood in water as described above.

Planting
The ground into which the structure is to be planted should be weed free. We recommend cutting down any existing vegetation or mowing the area if it is lawn, the inclusion of organic material in the soil is always a benefit. Spread woven polypropylene (Available from most garden centres), securing with ground staples at 1 metre intervals and ensuring that the area covered is at least 0.5m beyond the structure. To improve the aesthetics the polypropylene can be covered with bark chipping’s.

Most willows are pretty tolerant of soil and wind conditions however they do best on heavier soils or where the water table is high. They also require lots of light so avoid shaded positions. Willow is very attractive to rabbits and deer so protection may be required from these pests.

Caution willow roots travel a long way and will seek out drains and other sources of moisture. They also transpire a large quantity of water and will tend to dry out a heavy clay soil – so do not plant near to any building or foundations. We recommend a planting distance of 1.5 times the height you will be allowing the plant to grow too from any structure, building or drain.

Your Own Fedge
The name being coined for a living willow fence / hedge is a Fedge, based on  a criss cross pattern shown right, with vertical uprights at fedge ends and slanted weavers.
Getting Started
For a 15M long structure of a criss-cross pattern we would suggest you would need about 180 rods. The length of the rods will depend upon the finished fedge height. The table below can be used as guidance depending upon your fedge height. For extra strength straight upright rods can be included ( add 5o% to rods /metre below)