March 31, 2009 – Planting Willows
It’s time to cut back the willows in the willow nursery.
Here’s a curly willow before pruning.
Here’s what it looks like after it’s pruned or “coppiced.”
I use the prunings to start more willows. I put 88 in the ground. They seem to grow by just sticking them into the ground – we experimented last year just sticking them in a low spot and they survived without weeding, or even mowing. So, I will move the patch down the lowland. If nothing else, the goats will love the browse.
one year ago…”Claire at Mock Trial”
2 Responses to “March 31, 2009 – Planting Willows”
Deirdre says:
February 12, 2010 at 8:06 pm
I just purchased a ‘Scarlet Curls’ willow. I am hoping to control it’s size by coppicing. Do you coppice every year? Is the growth in the first picture one years growth? Thank you.
highhopesgardens says:
February 12, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Yep, I coppice every March or so, and the photo is of one year’s growth. There, is of course, a bit of difference in size based on variety.