Planting may be carried out at any time between early-November and mid-May.

The decision on whether to plant rooted trees and/or which size of cuttings will depend on:

• How easy a job you want planting to be
• How well you will look after your trees after planting
• Your soil type and site
• How quickly you need results

All sizes of cutting root equally well and have a guaranteed success rate of 95%. They are all made with a slanting cut at the base and a straight cut at the top to make insertion into the ground easier and distinguish top from bottom!! They are also very easy to plant and can simply be pushed into loose cultivated soil and firmed in. They will need no support. In firmer soils simply make a vertical slit with a spade and push the cutting to the bottom of the slit and firm well by treading. Alternatively a narrow hole may be made with a bar or spike and the cutting pushed to the bottom and firmed well. A mole-plough or subsoil blade may be pulled through the ground in rows and the cuttings simply pushed into the loosened soil slit and firmed in by foot.

The smallest one foot long (30 cm) cuttings must be planted so that only 2 inches (5 cm) is showing above ground. This makes them vulnerable to being smothered by weeds and grass before they get away, and so they are only suited to situations where they will receive a high standard of care in the early days.        The two foot long cuttings (60 cm) are planted so that half is in the soil as in the photo below. This means that the new growth starts above weed and grass height. Being larger they also contain greater reserves of energy and grow away faster. In most situations the 2 foot long (60 cm) cuttings are the best option and will produce a tree, if looked after, of 6 - 8ft high in the first growing season .

On dry sites such as sands and gravels, or on banks, we would suggest that you plant a longer cutting and insert a larger proportion into the soil. Both the Hybrid Willows and Poplars have the ability to make roots from any part of the stem and so, if planted deeply, will produce deep roots which will always find moisture.

As stated earlier the Unrooted Hybrid Willows & Poplars will produce a tree of 6 to 8 feet high within the first season if kept fairly weed free. The rooted trees will give you almost instant results. They are available bare-rooted up to 8 feet high. They will, however, require a hole to be dug of 9 inches wide and 15 inches deep (25 cm wide by 40 cm deep approx.) and the support of a cane or stake until they are established. We always suggest that the rooted willows are pruned back to knee height after planting to avoid the need to stake them and make them grow bushier.

It is worth repeating that for easy planting and economy the 2ft long (60 cm) cuttings are the best option in most circumstances. The rooted trees and longer cuttings will cope better with difficult conditions and weed or grass competition to give instantly visible results.

Your plants will arrive by Express Courier from our nursery, on any working day you choose between 3rd November and 20th May (specific dates cannot be guaranteed) but we do encourage early planting for the best results.

On arrival you should try to plant as soon as possible but, if the weather makes this impossible, your cuttings will remain viable somewhere cold for 4 weeks. A cold shed or outside is fine but if the weather turns warm then put them into a fridge. If you are unable to plant the rooted trees within ten days of arrival then we suggest that you unpack the bale and cover the roots with soil in a shallow trench to keep them moist.