Willow is an excellent source of energy as combustable woodchip. Crops such as wood and grass that can be burnt to provide heat and/or power are called 'Biomass Crops'. Such crops are useful because they produce a high weight of dry biomass in a short period of time, grown in a comparitivly small area (oven dry tonnes per hectare, odt/ha). In the UK willow biomass varieties can produce between 10-16 odt/ha per year once established. Producton levels will depend mainly on fertility and type of soil, the availibility of water in the soil and altitude. Contrary to common belief, willow does not require soils to be waterlogged for plantations to be successful. Willows will tolerate waterlogged conditions but if those conditions persist for long periods (> 3 months) production will suffer. Willow will tend to dry wet patches out and do best in soils with a higher rate of water throughput. Biomass Willow is commonly coppiced on a 4-year rotation. 'Coppicing' is the traditional word used to describe the cutting of trees at just above ground level. The remaining stump is called a 'stool' and can be managed productively in this way (coppiced) for around 25 years. Willow can be harvested once the leaves have dropped in the Autumn or winter. For more information about growing willow as a biomass crop :-
GO TO Cardiff University - Wales Biomass Centre IGER - Helig y Gymru
How to Purchase your Biomass Willow Planting Material.
If you are planning to plant a short rotation willow coppice and you require quantities of planting material then go to the link below to select varieties. If you wish to discuss your plans please feel free to contact our biomass expert for free preliminary advice. If you require large quantities of planting material contact us for a competative quote.