1 metre spacing for Silver birch and willow?

[amd7000]

Hi. Could anyone tell me if 1m spacing for willow and silver birch would be o.k? I'm planning on planting 700 trees with 20% to be harvested in 5/6 years time for firewood and pollarding them 600mm from the ground. I've heard silver birch has to be young when pollarded? Thanks

[slack ma girdle]

Personaly i would prefer Alder and Birch.

I think that 6' spacings might be better, as you will need to allow for multi stemmed growth,once you start coppicing.

[woodyguy]

I think 600mm is coppicing not pollarding.

One metre is way too close. Maximum yield is 1.5m but lots of initial costs and quite a few die off. Most people choose 2m as the best combination of yield vs initial cost. If it's wet I'd go for Alder (black, red or gray), siberian elm or a poplar hybrid if you want logs. And yes birch has to be young but anything under 20 years will coppice well. Nothing like the yields on poplar/alder/elm though.

[amd7000]

Thanks for the help guys. Looks like I need to be looking at some Alder. Thinking of trying 1.5m spacing as the best sunlight area is quite limited in size. Got lots of space in semi shade but that wouldn't really work for any trees would it?

[aspenarb]

2mts minimum, dont forget you will need to get a jungle buster down between the rows or you may never see your crop again for other regen.

 

Bob

[amd7000]

I don't mind strimming the growth and have a mini Kubota tractor which I could borrow which is close by when needed. Would that be o.k? Any trees that would be ok in a semi shaded area for logs?

[woodyguy]

You will need to keep the weeds down, either with tree/rabbit shelters and spray or strimmer.

As for partial shade, sweet chestnut is happy and robinia will grow well. Hazel is fine if damp but not that vigorous.

[amd7000]

Thanks.What about field maple? Sorry for all the questions! last one I promise!

[woodyguy]

Field maple prefers reasonably open conditions but it's growth is glacial compared to robinia. Nice tree all the same though. Others to consider in full sun are Eucalyptus nitens and caucasian wingnut.

[amd7000]

Cheers. Give me plenty to research. I'm quite excited. LOL