[spandit]

Keeps the young growth out of the reach of rabbits

[suziequeue]

Also - I don't have to bend down to coppice it 

[ferretkeeper]

Good reasons, like your thinking!

[sokel]

we just bought the sticks and stuck them in, a week later they all have shoots on them . we planted a few into tubs ready to plant down the river when the repair work from the flood gets done and I have just been out and checked them to find they already have long roots on them

[Bramblecot]

Pollarding was used to produce firewood and straight branches, keeping the new growth out of reach from the cattle which grazed the area below the trees.  This is a historic method of forestry used in Epping Forest near London.  The peasants (can I say that ) were allowed to collect the branches for firewood but not allowed to cut down the ancient hornbeam trees.  History lesson over .  Amazing what you can remember from schooldays.
We are pollarding all our willows; it makes brilliant food for the sheep in autumn and early spring.  And willow branches in the lambing pens keeps mum happy

[ScribbleUk]

If we're taking cuttings from existing willow trees, is it better to cut and plant an older 'brown' cutting, or new 'green' growth as the cutting?

Also is there any recommendation on length of cutting?  Shoot side shoots be removed?

Thanks.

[suziequeue]

To be honest scribble - I don't think it matters one jot. Willows are absolutely AMAZING and get going anywhere.

Personally, I would take a length - about 1m long and a centimetre thick at the base - of this year's growth and stick it in the ground with the buds pointing upwards in January. You just need a proddy stick (we use an earthing pole from the electric fencing) to make a guide hole and then just shove it in the ground.

I started with 25 of five different varieties two years ago and I now have three times that.

I have had 100% take rates on all verieties except for a couple of viminalis stems that the rabbits barked whilst we were waiting for more tree guards to come in the post last winter.

I plant mine through mypex to keep the weeds down but after a couple of years the top cover is such that most weeds won't grow underneath. I plant them 50cm apart. Will send pic once I get home this weekend.

It's very rewarding growing willow. I plan to use mine to make bentwood furniture and hurdles plus some basket weaving.

Have fun