Establishing your own Willow SRC is very simple. On your chosen spot, cut the grass or scrub short, measure out the planting area. Lay down the mulch mat straight onto the grass and peg down.
The willow cuttings are then inserted through the mulch mat into the ground where they will take root (no rooting powder or similar needed, so long as it is damp the willow will root)
The willow can then be left to establish itself. During the first summer, if you want a greater quantity of thinner whips for chipping then you would need to go around the plantation and nip off the growing buds to encourage more shoots. If you want fewer, thick branches for logs in wood burners then you would not need to do this.
Keep the grass short in between the rows, check for pest damage through the year but otherwise leave the willow to simply grow.
Your first harvest can be taken after 2-3 years (depending on your desired log thickness), this would be from one of the beds. After that you can, in rotation, harvest one bed per year. The cut wood needs drying and seasoning before use in burners.
We can supply everything you need to start growing your own firewood, take a look at our
Willow Setts & Whips section (click here) for planting material, weed control fabric and other planting accessories.