Site selection and preparation

Willow can grow on a range of soil types and, once established, can withstand both drought and occasional water-logging with relative ease, due to a well-developed root structure. The better the quality of land, the better the yield potential.

   Variety Selection

In common with many crops, variety selection is very important to achieve maximum yield. To eliminate planting failure, we have been involved in extensive research carried out over 20 years by the Department of Agriculture (DARD) and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), in Northern Ireland. It is strongly recommended that a mix of at least six varieties from the European and Swedish Breeding Programmes be used in all commercial SRC willow plantations to ensure maximum genetic diversity.

   Planting

The planting season extends from early spring (February/March), when weather conditions allow, to late May and even June, using cold-stored cuttings. Current commercial practise is to plant 15,000 cuttings per hectare. Planting, designed to facilitate mechanical harvesting and machinery access, is carried out in double rows 0.75m apart with double rows spaced at 1.5m.

   Guarantee

We guarantee all customers 80% willow plant survival by the 1st of November of the year of planting, provided that the grower can demonstrate they followed the planting prescription outlined by us. If plant survival is less than 80%, due to plant failure or planting fault, we will supply planting stock and labour, to bring the planted area to at least 80% establishment.