Once the J.C.B. had finished landscaping the site, it was felt that the border on the lower side of the site needed to be defined in order to enclose the wildlife area. A fairly instant but eye catching barrier was required and this led to the selection of a willow screen to fulfill this need. Willow has the advantage that it grows quickly and any subsequent growth can be weaved back into the structure to strengthen it. This is an activity that the children can perform. The rapid growth, however, also has the disadvantage that the willow can easily get out of control and so aggressive pruning is also required to keep on top of the structure.
The willow was planted in March 2001 by an experienced willow artist. It was an appallingly wet day that had been preceded by weeks of heavy rain. This unusually wet weather had left the ground sodden and allowed the willow stems to be pushed deep into the ground. This was a great advantage, as initial establishment can be a problem if the ground dries out. Initial growth concentrates on root production from these rootless stems, so watering in periods of dry weather are desirable. The placing of large amounts of bark stripping at its base helps in two ways. Firstly, it prevents competitive weed growth and secondly aids moisture retention around the base.
The willow in its second year is looking superb with lots of vigorous growth . Establishment has been a great success, so the main task now is to keep it under control.
For further information on all aspects of willow and its uses log on to the following web site. www.windrushwillow.com
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