MORE WILLOW QUERIES

[Compo]

As mentioned in a previous post I have been allowed to chop down some mature willow trees for firewood, can I use the finger thickness branches to make hurdles for my plot? If I stick them in the ground will they grow at this time of year? Or can I use the timber to make some screens for my plot (I am thinking these will be good for growing peas and the like up against next season. Otherwise it all gets burned.....

Thoughts welcome..............

CoMpO

[Johnboy]

Hi Compo,
Willow seems to retain its vibrancy with regards to sprouting roots.
I quote an example where 4" pieces of Willow had been on a log pile for two years and the person decided to make a couple of gateposts.
He put them upside down 18" into the ground and I helped him to do it.
We now laugh at the two Willows that have joined together to make one tree and the new gate is alongside where the old one was. That was well over 20 years ago and it/they are a magnificent tree.
JB.

[Compo]

Thanks Johnboy, so I can assume two things, the first being that the branches may well take root irrespective of the season, and if I attempt to make some very basic hurdles from the same whippy branches they may take root when placed near to the surface of the ground as well? I guess it makes no odds, If I am lucky I will get a nice living screen for my plot, as long as I don't let the blighters get too big............

CoMpO

[Cider Boys]

Hello Compo

Your questions on willow reminded me of when I ran out of bean sticks as a youth and I used willow, every single stick rooted. Only today I was driving across the Somerset levels and was pleased to see that they still grow the withies that Somerset are so famous for.

http://www.visitsomerset.co.uk/download ... w+A5%2Epdf

Remember. if you can't grow a withy in Somerset then you can't grow anything.

Barney

[Compo]

Yes you see Barney I have two thoughts in my head the first one is a freebie is a freebie in anyones language. The second thing I can see is that if I use the withies to make plant supports and crude hurdles / edging to vegetable beds it is very natural and attractive, but I don't want a plot full of withies if it all starts to sprout on me.....should I season the withies for a few years, judging by what Johnboy said even old timber can sprout, but surely not if it is completely dried out?

[Cider Boys]

Hello Compo

I'm sure that you will be allright if you let them dry, but they may snap if they are dry and you try to bend them. I know the basket weavers use dried withies but they always used to soak them well before weaving them.

Barney

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Compo, i don't know how tall the Willow trees are that you are going to fell but, with Willow you must be very careful of the trunks splitting verticaly up the trunk as they start to fall, when cut just over three quarters through, as this leads to part of the trunk kicking back to where you are sawing.

Hope you can understand what i'm trying to get at.

[Compo]

Thanks OH, I have advised the chainsaw user how to fell them to prevent this from happening.........they are a bit tricky when they get too big and not only can they split but once you cut a few of the 'trunks' the whole tree is then unstable, especialy in windy conditions.

CoMpO

[Johnboy]

Hi Compo,
Hereabouts Willows are called Sallies. Although they have flowers they really do not set viable seeds and like the Small Leafed Lime they rely on splitting trunks that hit the ground and strike themselves and root and grow another tree. These Sallies used to be cut back to the main trunk every year and the withies used in basket making but they have now really got out of hand because of the decline in basket making.
As OH says they are very unpredictable and here we never put a ladder on any of the leaders only the main trunk and the branches however long are cut from the trunk or within reach of the ladder on the main trunk.
The tree is smartened up when all the branches have been removed.
It is best to log immediately and stack to dry out rather then leave lengths. (re gateposts) It splits very well.
As was mention on an open fire the snap crackle and pop could mean burnt carpets but I have used it in the log burner very successfully.
JB.

[Compo]

Thanks JB I have already cut and split about half a a ton of logs into small pieces most about the size of a bag of sugar, you are right they split very well when still green. They will now season for a year and be burned in the winter of 2010/11 on the woodburning stove.

As for the withies, I have a few ideas for them and will report on how I get on in a future post no doubt, thanks everyone for help and advice

CoMpO