Willow Harvest -- The Prequel

Originally published by Donna Kallner on 4/20/10 at Two Red Threads.

Since the spring willow harvest began in March, I've posted about preparing, cutting, sorting and even using the harvest. The story just doesn't seem complete without telling you a little about how to plant a willow crop.

Where To Plant. You don’t need a country estate to grow enough willow to make a few trellises each year. Even in a small yard, if you have a sunny spot you can grow a few shrubs. Willow does not require a wet spot – just sun. A caveat: One reason willow is used to stabilize stream banks is the healthy root system the plants quickly develop. For this reason, don’t plant willow too near septic or water lines.

What To Plant. European basketmakers brought many varieties of willow with them when they emigrated to the United States, and many types are now cultivated here. The first willow bed I planted in (I think) 1995 was a jumble of cuttings I got from friends, stuff I cut from other patches, and things I picked out of the wastebucket at a workshop. The last beds I planted (and probably the last beds I'll have to plant) went in in 2002, and the only varieties I put in were Green Dicks and Dickey Meadows. I learned over the years that the rabbits and deer here leave the Green Dicks alone. They might munch on the Dickey Meadows, though, so I generally harvest it in the fall. For advice on what varieties might work best for you, find local willow growers who are familiar with your climate and probable soil conditions. They may also be willing to share cuttings, which we'll talk about shortly.

Weed Barrier. Willow doesn't compete well with weeds and grasses, so a weed barrier is a really good investment. Like most of what I know about growing willow, I learned from Jo Campbell-Amsler to use the kind of woven landscape fabric nurseries use on the ground in greenhouses. I spread the fabric on tilled soil and pinned it in place with anchor pins.

Mulch. Mulch helps conserve moisture, which is really important for the first year of a new willow bed. We got a pile of free wood chips from a crew trimming trees near power lines. I spread the chips on the landscape fabric before planting, because it's easier to shove and walk around before cuttings go in. Then I used a hoe to pull back the chips where I wanted to plant a row.

Poking Holes. My neighbor welded a fabulous tool for me, but you can use a large spike nail instead. You want to poke a hole for the willow cutting that goes through the landscape fabric and down into the soil. By making this hole at a bit of an angle, gravity works in your favor to make sure the soil settles down into contact with the cutting.

Plant The Cuttings. Poke the cutting into the prepared ground at a slight angle, making sure the buds are pointed up. Space the cuttings 8-12 inches apart and rows 24-36 inches apart, depending on the variety. Crowding the willow slightly yields straighter rods. Again, talk to growers familiar with your climate and conditions.

Water. Keep your cuttings watered well the first growing season to help them get their roots established. After that, they should be fine on their own.

Wait. The first year’s growth is liable to be sparse, branchy and pretty unruly looking. Not to worry. Harvest it anyway when the plant is dormant (fall or early spring). The next year's growth will multiply, and by year three you'll have a producer.

Maintenance. As the leaves drop each fall and the mulch breaks down, those materials provide a place for weeds to grow. Bill and I have found that we have fewer weeds if we remove the mulch after the bed is well established.

Pass-Along Plants. Once you have a bed established, you may want to take cuttings to use for planting more willow beds, or to share with other growers. To take willow cuttings, save from the base of a fresh withy that is unblemished, straight, and about the diameter of a pencil or larger. Lay the cuttings all going the same direction, wrap in several layers of damp newspaper, slip into a large zippered plastic bag, and store in the refrigerator. I’ve had cuttings in my fridge for the whole winter and planted them successfully. Plant when the soil can be worked in the spring.

Most of the pictures here are taken from slides of that 2002 planting. Sorry for the poor image quality, but I hope you get the idea.

In a few weeks, I'll harvest some willow bark from plants I left in the patch. When I do, I'll share with you some information about using willow bark to color fabric, and how to make willow charcoal for drawing.