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Applications of Alligin Willow
| Windbreaks can be allowed, after 2 – 3 years pollarding, with no further attention, to grow to full height (28 – 30 ft).
Plant in a double or triple row, staggered, 2 feet between plants and rows.
Hedges and Screens. Plant in a single or double row staggered, 1 foot apart. Interweave branches with help of twine or cable ties, as they grow, and prune to height and shape desired. Don’t plant too near building foundations or services. Crafts. Willows harvested annually after leaf-fall give a plentiful supply of long flexible straight rods, or ‘withies’, ideal for basketry and other woven products such as hurdles, vessels, furniture, corracles, wigwams for plant supports, cloche hoops, paper sculptures such as lanterns, and much more. For a range of rod sizes for crafts, plant 3 feet between rows, 2 feet between plants. Soil stabilisation. e.g. of steep verges or river banks. The spreading mass of roots inhibits erosion. Fisheries. Willows alongside pond or stream provide shade and shelter for fish and water fowl. Waste management. Willows will break down and purify effluents such as slurry and sewage. Transevaporation cells of willow dispel discharge which might otherwise contaminate watercourses. Treebogs.For campsites, outdoor events, woodland walks etc, these temporary or permanent structures are toilets built over compost heaps, surrounded by a living wall of willow. Thus, through photosynthesis, problematic human waste is broken down in an ecologically friendly way, producing an annual willow crop for alternative use. For more details see www.stewardwood.org Wood chips. A mulch for playgrounds, paths, animal bedding, soil conditioning, composting, weed suppression, biomass fuel, etc. Snow fences. Rows of willow can form an effective barrier against drifting snow. The annual harvest can provide nutritious fodder for all livestock. Abundant catkins in early spring attract pollinating insects when few other flowers have emerged, and are therefore usefully planted in orchards. The catkins also make an attractive decorative vase indoors alone, or when teamed with daffodils, tulips, etc. Willow stands provide shelter for many birds and the insects on which they feed. Game cover. Willow glades shelter and protect game-bird feeding and release-pen areas. Also, strategically-placed rows will lift birds in flight during a shoot, or provide concealment for the guns. Fun with Willow.See our section on Living Willow Structures and Sculptures. for some exciting ideas for projects, and details of our popular Living Willow Bower kits. Fuel for heat and energy in the home. Willow cropped every 3 to 5 years will give logs several inches thick. Thinner sections of rod can be tied in bundles and fed into ceramic and masonry stoves, from which 2 hours burn can give 24 hours stored heat, suitable for sheds, greenhouses, etc. Plant several rows over consecutive years so they can be harvested in rotation, 3 feet between rows, 3 feet between plants. For more information on wood fired central heating and boilers: South West Woodburning Centre, The Airfield, Torrington Road, Winkleigh, Devon, EX19 8HR. Tel: 01837-83333 www.wamsler.co.uk Euroheat Distributors (HBS) Ltd., Unit 2, Court Farm Business Park, Bishops Frome, Worcestershire, WR6 5AY. Tel. 01885 491 100 www.euroheat.co.uk Viminalis, with its remarkable rate of growth and vigorous response to regular cropping, is a sustainable, renewable and ecologically friendly medium for Biomass fuel production. The UK Government is stepping up efforts to promote the growing of crops for use in generating renewable energy, and offering a range of grants. In this area, willow is in the forefront. Ministers hope this will help the UK meet its targets for renewable energy, and that it will also boost farming, forestry and the countryside. More information is available at http://news.bbc.co.uk Simply click on this link, and when the site opens in a new window, type "biomass" into the search box and click 'search'. This is a vast resource of biomass articles with further useful links. or contact Northern Woodheat, The Project Manager, Highland Birchwoods, Littleburn Road,Munlochy, IV8 8NN. www.northernwoodheat.net Habitat and Landscape Improvement. Grant aid may be available to encourage farmers and common grazings committees to adopt environmentally friendly practices and to maintain and enhance particular habitats and landscape features. Some useful contacts: Scottish Natural Heritage www.snh.org.uk/about/ab-grants.asp The Woodland Trust www.woodland-trust.org.uk/communitywoodlandnetwork/aboutus/grants.htm Other useful contacts: Forestry Commission Scotland www.www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD), Longman Road, Inverness, Tel: 01463-234 141 Scottish Crofting Foundation, Tel : 01599-566 365 www.croftingfoundation.co.uk The Crofters Commission (assisting local development initiatives), Castle Wynd, Inverness, IV2 3EQ Tel: 01463-663 450 www.crofterscommission.org.uk Reforesting Scotland www.reforestingscotland.org Scottish Woodlands Ltd, Mayfield, High Street, Dingwall IV15 9ST tel: 01349 - 864 999 |
[Home]
[Characteristics]
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[Living Willow]
[Other Willow Varieties]
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