I just saw this post, I know its old but now is the time to be sticking your setts in the ground either 1ft through groundcover or using 3ft setts. You need to be realistic about the amount of land needed to produce a useable amount of wood and be prepared to wait 4-6 years if you want logs. Because of demand we produce starter kits that people you can then take your own cuttings from but these won't make a significant reduction in your fuel bill. But if you want to get off to a flying start and heat your whole house and water with the willow you will need to plant about 1500 to 2000 setts in 1/4-1/2 an acre this year then do the same each year until you have 1-2 acres. This does compare well with woodland in terms of land and time where you would need about 5 acres and a 20 year rotation to produce the same amount of fuel. Also in the unlikely event that you've got cash sitting in a savings account that's earning paltry interest think about the return you will get by converting it to fuel, whether through quick growing willow or planting traditional woodland.
cheers
Giles from Mammoth Willow