[Rosemary]

Our poultry paddocks / orchard get quite wet. We thought we might plant willow round the perimeters to a) soak up some of the water, b) provide early nectar for bees, c) provide a windbreak for the apple trees. If we got some browsing for sheep and some firewood in due course, that would be nice but not a key driver.

Turns out there are loads of types of willow. Can anyone tell me what's best to buy? Any other tips / info also welcome.

[Penninehillbilly]

We have a few types, brought in from various places, I'm tempted to think good old goat willow grows best for us. Good for forage, if grown shrubby is a good windbreak.
Have you thought of bamboo? Clumps make good windbreaks and gives a green bite for my goats during winter, some varieties seem to like/need water.
If away from stock, eucalyptus takes up a lot of water, (im guessing it would be poisonous) according to a website it makes good firewood.

[Fleecewife]

We have quite a few varieties of willow, some very big and others tiny.  Their catkins appear in succession, so a variety of types is good.  Willows have different coloured wood, even when the bark is the same.  We have one kind with almost luminous yellow wood.  Some are slightly more palatable to sheep than others.  They all have different growth rates, habits and ultimate height.  The problem?  I've forgotten what each is called.  My Dad gave me bundles of cuttings of about 60 varieties years ago.  Some didn't grow here at all, some grew so slowly and weakly that they were effectively a loss, although still struggling, then there are the survivors.
I think the biggest most sturdy variety is Goat Willow.  It can be readily coppiced and pollarded, and will grow a thick trunk for firewood.  Willow tends to put on height rather than girth, then comes down in a storm, so you want those you can pollard so they have a sturdy stem but not too much tall wavy crown. As a windbreak, alternate coppice and pollard helps to make a thick hedge.  Be sure though not to let your willows grow too tall when they are near other trees - we have made this mistake.......

You are welcome to any number of cuttings Rosemary if you are down this way.

As well as early nectar, shelter, fodder, sucking up water and fuel, willow also provides weaving withies, and shelter and insects for birds.  If you are lucky you can get a giant caterpillar with eyes on it's tail end - ours came up from the south on the original cuttings, hatched in the second year, but died off after that - shame, they were spectacular.

[doganjo]

Our poultry paddocks / orchard get quite wet. We thought we might plant willow round the perimeters to a) soak up some of the water, b) provide early nectar for bees, c) provide a windbreak for the apple trees. If we got some browsing for sheep and some firewood in due course, that would be nice but not a key driver.

Turns out there are loads of types of willow. Can anyone tell me what's best to buy? Any other tips / info also welcome.

I got min from Karen (Happy Hippy) got LOADS of it you can have anytime you want.

[blades]

We bought a variety from http://mammothwillow.co.uk/shop/ we got good advice regarding what variety to plant where etc.


Not as good as 'free' but fair prices I thought.

[Creagan]

Eucalyptus sounds interesting. I wonder if it would grow on Skye? (site is at sea level)

[Penninehillbilly]

Eucalyptus sounds interesting. I wonder if it would grow on Skye? (site is at sea level)

I believe there are some hardy ones, a place high up in Wales grows and sells them, but not sure about salt winds?

[Bramblecot]

Eucalyptus - yuk . 
We are facing the sea and had massive trees in the garden, leaning dangerously at 60 degrees.  It was planted around here in the 70's and now folk have huge bills from tree surgeons to remove the wretched stuff.   We have spent the last 9 years cutting them down and trying to reduce their height.  The wood is hard to cut, dangerous to fell as the limbs break without warning, lousy to burn (we have a stack of it)and, worst of all, poisonous to stock.   It is not native and has nothing to recommend it - willow is a much better option imo.  We have willow and hazel planted extensively in the field hedges and they cope well with the salt winds.   Hazel is even better as it provides good firewood and makes a great boundary hedge, although it is a bit slow to start.    

[ramon]

Not about willow, although I have a great deal of that, but eucalyptus. A large and very beatiful eucalyptus tree came down in a storm a couple of years ago. When dried out it made excellent firewood. Never had any problems with sheep eating it and there are 2 other eucalyptus still surviving that sheep graze around with no ill effects.

[Penninehillbilly]

It can be kept short & shrubby

[goosepimple]

I bought some 'coral' coloured willow a couple of years back to brighten the place up - they just sent it in 12" cuttings - I expect (reading Fleecewife's post) you could see what everyone has and get them all to send some cuttings and see what does best.

Don't know if it will be an issue in your situation, but what if Carnsnooty gets a blazing hot summer and your orchard turns into a dust bowl .....

[doganjo]

Ha ha - Carnsnooitie dead right!