Willow & Poplar Planting
From selecting the right varieties and preparing your land to planting and optimising your yield, our expert team provides a complete service backed by years of experience and cutting-edge machinery.
Planting perennial wood crops like willow and poplar is a sustainable choice for farmland, offering a wealth of ecological and economic benefits. These woody crops thrive on a variety of terrains, including those unsuitable for traditional farming, making them a flexible and versatile option for any landowner.
There are many reasons why growers choose our poplar and willow planting services, such as:
Willow and poplar are highly versatile, sustainable perennial wood crops suitable for a wide range of purposes, including biomass production, natural flood management, and biodiversity net gain.
These crops thrive on various types of farmland, including marginal land unsuitable for traditional arable farming. They can be easily integrated into existing farm systems, complementing food production by providing nutrient-rich supplemental fodder, natural shelter, and shade as part of an agroforestry setup. Poplar and willow plantations also offer environmental benefits that support livestock health and enhance overall farm resilience.
Planting willow crops can even improve ground drainage, soil health, and biodiversity while still maintaining strong yields!
These perennial wood crops are particularly well-suited to short-rotation coppice (SRC) and short-rotation forestry (SRF) systems, making them popular and profitable choices for farmers and landowners.
It’s never too early to start planning your plantation. While the best time to plant willow rods and poplar cuttings is in the spring, we can help you prepare well in advance.
Our team will work with you to develop a detailed planting plan for short-rotation coppice (SRC) or short-rotation forestry (SRF) projects, ensuring everything is ready when the season arrives.
Whether you need a few plants for trialling a small area or tens of thousands for a large-scale plantation, we have the expertise and resources to meet your needs and deliver exceptional results.
Eco Crops Ltd offers flexible, comprehensive planting services tailored to your requirements. Our perennial wood crop planting services include supplying high-quality planting materials, such as willow rods and poplar cuttings, or a fully managed planting service with our experienced team and specialist machinery. Here’s what we provide:
Selecting the right varieties of willow and poplar is critical to maximising yield and resilience. We utilise a mix of six to eight willow varieties to promote biodiversity, extend the growing season, and minimise risks from pests and diseases. Mixed plantations help guard against monoculture vulnerabilities while enhancing environmental benefits on your land.
It is essential to maintain planting stock in optimal condition for successful establishment. We ensure that all willow rods and poplar cuttings are stored correctly before planting, preserving their vitality and quality.
Good planning is key to a successful poplar or willow planting project. Our knowledgeable team carries out thorough field assessments, including soil testing, to determine the most suitable planting methods and variety combinations for your specific site. This level of planning and preparation ensures robust crop growth and optimal yields, year after year.
Before planting willow or poplar crops, we assess field accessibility to make sure machinery and workers can move safely and efficiently across the site. We also conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify potential hazards, such as uneven terrain, drainage issues, or obstacles that could affect planting. By addressing these factors in advance, we help create a safer working environment and ensure the planting process runs smoothly from start to finish.
Our state-of-the-art equipment and experienced, knowledgeable team are at the heart of our planting services. We handle every stage of the planting process, from soil preparation to the precise placement of cuttings, ensuring everything is carried out with expert care and attention to detail. This approach provides the best possible start for healthy, productive growth and optimal yields in future harvests.
For landowners looking to maximise their resources, willow plantations can be integrated with livestock farming as part of an agroforestry system. Double cropping with sheep allows for high-quality forage and cost-effective feed while maintaining the productivity of your perennial wood crop.
Willow is planted in widely spaced rows or alley cropping systems, creating grazing lanes that provide shelter, shade, and nutritious fodder. Managed grazing helps control undergrowth, reducing maintenance while supporting soil health and biodiversity.
This innovative approach provides dual benefits without compromising crop health, maximising land use while offering additional income streams—making it an excellent choice for farmers looking to diversify their operations.
Extended blossom periods provide pollinators with a longer feeding season, supporting local ecosystems.
Mixed crop varieties are less likely to experience widespread damage from pests or diseases.
Extended leaf drop periods keep weed growth under control naturally.
Willow is one of the fastest-growing tree species, with growth rates of 3–4 metres per year under ideal conditions.
Poplar trees also grow rapidly, often reaching heights of 2–3 metres per year, depending on soil and climate conditions.
Poplar trees are typically planted using cuttings. These poplar cuttings are inserted directly into the soil at the recommended spacing to ensure even growth and accessibility for maintenance.
The best time to plant willow and poplar trees is during the dormant season, typically in early spring. Spring is the optimal season for planting poplar trees and other perennial wood crops like willow, as it allows the cuttings to establish roots before the growing season begins in summer. This is why we recommend planning early and preparing land in advance to ensure everything is ready for the planting season.
Yes, willow trees are highly effective at improving drainage in wet or waterlogged areas, as they absorb large amounts of water.
Willow roots help absorb excess water, making it ideal for low-lying or flood-prone fields. This is why planting willow is a popular choice for natural flood management solutions.
Yes, willow is suitable for biomass production. Willow is widely used to produce quality woodchips for biomass due to its fast growth rate, high yield potential, and sustainability. Eco Crops Ltd can help you establish a productive willow plantation tailored to your biomass needs.
Yes, willow crops thrive in damp conditions, which is why planting willow is an excellent choice for poorly drained soils. Their extensive root systems help absorb excess water and stabilise the soil.
A common rotation involves harvesting the willow every three years. After cutting, the stumps regrow (coppice) for the next cycle, providing a continuous supply of biomass over decades.
The ideal time for willow planting is in early spring, typically from March to May when soil conditions are favourable for root establishment.
Yes, Eco Crops Ltd supplies high-quality willow rods and poplar cuttings, ensuring you have the best planting materials for your crop.
It’s never too early to start planning. Contact Eco Crops Ltd to discuss your goals, and we’ll guide you through every step, from variety selection to planting and management.
Sign up for regular news & Eco Crops information
Willow & Poplar Harvesting
To achieve the best results during the Willow and Poplar harvesting phase, the utmost care and precision are required. The team at Eco Crops Ltd provide the experience and machine to achieve this.
We use cookies on this website to ensure you get the best experience.
