Willow

[Jocky]

I was thinking about growin some willow with wood production in mind. Is it a goer or a non starter? ie is the end product any good? got some cut about a week ago to see, but It wont be burnt til next year. also what hybrid is best and ways to grow etc. land isnt an issue got all types to put it on; grass, unimproved grass, woodland etc. also no deer present and very few rabbits.

 

Cheers Jack.

[Marko]

Just burning willow on the fire tonight. Two years since cutting & splitting and it burns very hot.

 

I have put some SRC hybrid willow into some wet ground last year with a view to seeing how it performs for logs rather than chipping. I believe SRC willow is generally about 4"-6" at the base at the end of growing year 3 so I expect to be logging in year 4 or 5.

 

The man who knows said don't leave it too long as the SRC cycle is as much about optimising the regrowth as it is harvesting the wood.

[Alycidon]

Willow burns well, this winter I have been burning some that was wind blown last spring, logged and split, stacked to dry over the summer it burns well.

 

A

[Jack]

Been burning 85% crack willow this winter, been split and stacked for a year, burns great and gives out plenty of heat, but burns quite quickly, so split it quite big. Spits, so no good for open fires.

Many people turn there noses up at it, but i think its underated firewood, but not as good as other hard woods. Bonus is it grows fast.

[Jocky]

sound thats good enough for me. It will be burnt on a lo burner so spittings not so much of an issue. Any other tips on growing, types etc?

[pembswoodrecycling]

Just burning willow on the fire tonight. Two years since cutting & splitting and it burns very hot.

 

I have put some SRC hybrid willow into some wet ground last year with a view to seeing how it performs for logs rather than chipping. I believe SRC willow is generally about 4"-6" at the base at the end of growing year 3 so I expect to be logging in year 4 or 5.

 

The man who knows said don't leave it too long as the SRC cycle is as much about optimising the regrowth as it is harvesting the wood.

 

Sorry to derail the thread a little, but what sort of yield do you expect, in terms of volume per acre, after five years of growth? and is that likely to be the same every five years thereafter?

[Jocky]

Sorry to derail the thread a little, but what sort of yield do you expect, in terms of volume per acre, after five years of growth? and is that likely to be the same every five years thereafter?

 

good question would like to know the answer to that one as well.

[Sniffy]

I have been burning mainly willow for last 3 yrs . Lots of people turn their nose up at it . But I think it's great . If room is really cold , light the stove and crank it right open . The room is warm and toasty in no time . I have at times mixed with some stuff like oak , Hawthorne , cherry and apple . This year I have some ash and beech . Yes they burn longer , but I don't think they kick out as much heat ?

 

Mark

[Stereo]

There is so much crap talked about firewood, even from people who should know much better. In a good stove, any dry wood will burn efficiently. Some may burn longer and slower, some hotter and faster. That's when you need stove controls / flue dampers etc.

 

Willow is a fine fuel. Grows fast and dried quickly in the right conditions. The fact that it grows fast means it wet when green, very wet. So, let it dry and enjoy.

[face cord]

I believe SRC willow is generally about 4"-6" at the base at the end of growing year 3

 

Sounds really impressive if thoose figures are correct. A 6" trunk in 3yrs are you sure thats actually possible!

 

Iv'e planted 100's of willow wips & none have done anywhwere near that but they weren't special the SRC hybrids just cut from some some random trees etc

 

Found some info on SRC yeilds etc:

 

http://www.bowhayestrees.co.uk/logging.html

Edited January 25, 2012 by face cord