www.MammothWillow.co.uk Tel.

O7586350697
giles@mammothwillow.co.uk Mammoth trees, South Brent, TQ10 9JE.

Planting Season November to April ----- Growing Guide

LOOKING AFTER YOUR CUTTINGS PRIOR TO PLANTING We cut and prepare the willow and
poplar setts fresh to order. This ensures that the stock arrives in prime condition. It is
important that the unrooted cuttings are planted as soon as possible. If it is not
possible to plant your cuttings immediately then store them in a cold but not freezing,
shady place. They must not dry out, ideally store in the sealed plastic bag. If planting
is further delayed place the setts in a fridge until planting can take place. You may sit
the setts in water for a few hours prior to planting BUT please do not sit the setts in
water for days as they will start to produce fine white roots, these will be damaged
during planting and will reduce the likelihood of root formation when in the ground.
Cuttings should not be planted later than the end of March

Willow cuttings of any size grow best when planted through a woven permeable ground
cover OR ensure that the ground is cultivated and kept weed/grass free for the first year
or two. Growth will be greatly reduced if weeds or grass compete with the willow.

ALL WOOD FUEL STARTER KITS ARE DESIGNED WITH A 50CM SPACING
BETWEEN SETTS and 60CM BETWEEN ROWS
FOUR STAGES TO PLANTING WITH GROUND COVER
1. The ground cover sheeting can be placed directly onto
pasture/grassland, no digging or weeding is required.

2. The Layout Plan above shows spacing for screening and wood fuel.
Hammer the pegs in every meter, approx 4cm from the outer edge of the
ground cover. (NOTE All Starter Kits, small, medium, large use a 50cm
spacing between sets)

3. Make a planting hole about 9 inches deep for 12 inch cuttings which
should have about 3inches above the ground. 2ft & 3ft cuttings should be
planted 1ft into the soil. Use a dibber or hammer a metal rod/pole
straight through the ground cover to make a hole in the ground. You can
use any solid metal bar (1/2 inch to ¾ inch diameter).

4. Place the set in the hole, with the tiny buds pointing upwards. Place a
temporary wire pin/ peg or weigh down the ground cover next to the
setts - 2 inches/5cm away. This will stop the wind blowing the sheeting
up next to the sett in the first growing season.
The groundcover will help retain moisture. However if there is a very dry Spring, it may be
necessary to water the setts. At the end of the first growing season cut the ground cover
with a craft knife at the base of the cutting to allow growth/expansion space and prevent the
ground cover strangling the willow.

Cutback after first year for dense screening

During the winter months cut back growth 2 inches above the crown at end of the
first year, using secateurs or hedge cutter, this will encourage multiple shoots to form
the base. This can be done annually.

For Logs
Don’t cut back; allow to grow on until you get the majority of branches to a size you can
use. This usually takes 4 years. Harvest in the winter months before the end of February
to ensure go regrowth. Dry your logs for 12 months or if you have a polytunnel with
open ends they should dry in one summer

Poplar
Our poplar cuttings are grown using the same system except that they need to be more widely
spaced according to how you want to grow them- as close as 50cm if you want to harvest logs every
3-4 years or 2-3m + if you want to let grow into 100ft + mature trees.