Willow Planting Collaboration with Mission Employable, Crops For Energy and Rothamsted Research teams.

Our agroforestry work continued last week with the planting of a willow buffer strip between the Golden Rose Flower Farm and Rickey’s Alkaline Market Garden and Fruit Forest.

A superb team effort led by Kevin Lindegaard from Crops4Energy, working alongside Rothamsted Research, farm ranger Steve and the brilliant interns from Mission EmployAble

Willow is a really versatile tree or crop and has been used for centuries to help with farming tasks. It was mentioned in the first book written on Agriculture back in the Roman times – De Agri Cultura. Author Cato suggested dividing a farm into six sections to ensure efficiency and productivity. One of these sections was dedicated to willow.

Why willow?

– It’s flexible and durable, ideal for making baskets, fences, and ties for farm use and rudimentary tools.

– It’s fast-growing, so it ensures a steady supply of materials.

– It’s great for soil protection to guard against erosion.

For us it will have many uses at Woodoaks:- as fodder and woodchip, as a windbreak and boundary marker, for inclusion in Mel’s flower work and of course the natural benefits it brings to bees and butterflies with its pollen and nectar.

A species rich mixture of 40cm cuttings were knocked into the ground as a double row. The team will be back for the Agroforestry Show that takes place at Woodoaks in September. By the time they return this fast growing crop may be a high as 2 metres tall!

#heritagefarm #willow #agroforestry #regenerativeagriculture #regenerativefarming #sustainablefarming #natureledfarming #NatureBasedSolutions

For details of the Agroforestry Show 2025 taking place at Woodoaks Farm on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th September CLICK HERE

Willow Planting Collaboration with Mission Employable, Crops For Energy and Rothamsted Research teams.

Interested in supporting our project?

SHARE

Follow Us