lowering willow

[hedgesparrow]

hi i am restoring a river and part of the job is to lower a 30ft by 10inch willow down to ground to build up banks. done this before with other breeds but not a willow. now will put in a long pleach at back of trunk whats the best way to lower it without it snapping off need to keep the weight then lower slowly so it does not snap off. then should grow but from side of trunk

thinking pully type system attached to a different tree. i know willow has a tendency to crack hence some advice on this. thank you

[Graham]

Used to do a lot of whole tree pleaching for an LA. If there's plenty of crown you should be ok. The way to get 90% of them down is start your pleach with a boring cut and complete it leaving a couple of inches at the top of the pleach uncut. That way you can get your cut just right without the tree starting to move. When it's ready just sever the piece left holding it. Do the same on big thorn when need to.

[spandit]

I'm thinking willow will just sprout anyway if you cut it right down

[skyhuck]

I'm thinking willow will just sprout anyway if you cut it right down

 

Yes, I have trees in my yard that have grown from logs and my yard is not that wet.

[hedgesparrow]

need the tree to act as a bank support. so silt will build up behind and repair bank. saves on loads of faggots being used.

[Mountain man]

Winch it over, roots and all.

[woody paul]

Winch it over, roots and all.

 

Ditto, bark separation is a big problem this time of year.

[easylife]

you have mentioned installing faggots. currently working alongside the Environment Agency installing faggots,log deflectors brushwood mattress and hinged trees tied into bank. On all river installs they are strongly against using willow

[Daniël Bos]

you have mentioned installing faggots. currently working alongside the Environment Agency installing faggots,log deflectors brushwood mattress and hinged trees tied into bank. On all river installs they are strongly against using willow

 

Why is that then?

[skyhuck]

Why is that then?

 

My guess would be they don't want all the future work of cutting back all the huge Willow that would result.