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qwerty? Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 13 Mar 2010 Posts: 24 Location: Mayo
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Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 7:58 am Post subject: Willow Pruning |
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Hi all,
I planted 100 bare root Willows (Salix Alba) this time last year. Some were up on 4' tall, single stemmed.
On most of them they only sent out side shoots in the top 12". So I'm wondering should I cut them all down to 12" above ground now to get side shoots near ground level? (I want them to make dense hedge)
If so I take it I can use the offcuts for cuttings?
Thanks |
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Sive Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 1731 Location: Co.Wexford
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Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 10:21 am Post subject: |
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By coincidence, this week's BBC's Gardener's world programme said this was the perfect time to cut back dogwood, willow, etc....and then to use the prunings as hardwood cuttings. Just passing on what I saw ! |
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walltoall Rank attained: Orchard owner

Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Posts: 706 Location: Thurrock RM15 via Dungarvan and the Banner County
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Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 10:32 am Post subject: RULY OR UNRULY WILLOW HEDGE |
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I'd suggest cutting every second one down to twelve inches. On the tall intermediates, cut out every shoot which is either
a. growing upwards
b. growing out from the line of the hedge.
The idea is to try to establish the young hedge to stay under five foot initially. Else it will head for the sky and leave little or nothing below.
It's also better to cut out shoots one by one with a secateurs and as far back as possible. Such cuttings will readily root but try leaving them in a bucket of water in a shady place for a week or two until you see sign of roots forming.
It's well nigh impossible to kill willows, but they don't take well to being clipped like a conventional hedge. I've done a post on "willow hedging in one year" and if I find it before you, I'll let you know.
I'm back to edit. Here's the link to the post
http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2598&highlight= _________________ Retired trouble-maker. twitters @walltoall and dreams of being promoted to Pedunculate Oaker. |
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qwerty? Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 13 Mar 2010 Posts: 24 Location: Mayo
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Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 11:27 am Post subject: Re: RULY OR UNRULY WILLOW HEDGE |
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Thanks Sive, Forgot to watch it
Waltoall - I had read that post, its very informative thanks. |
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corco2000 Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 10 Nov 2009 Posts: 27 Location: west wicklow
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Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 8:48 pm Post subject: |
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Quick Q regarding cuttings of Willow/dog wood, as suggested to leave cuttings in a bucket of water for roots to form- with it not be very hard to plant then- as Id imagine roots would be very tender? I got some cuttings of both, Ive just pushed them in the soil, hoping this will work? |
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Sive Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 1731 Location: Co.Wexford
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Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 11:15 pm Post subject: |
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Advice on Gardeners' World programme was to cut a slit trench, put sand in the base, and put the cuttings into the slit, burying about three-quarters of each cutting. |
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qwerty? Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 13 Mar 2010 Posts: 24 Location: Mayo
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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:23 am Post subject: |
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corco2000 wrote: | Quick Q regarding cuttings of Willow/dog wood, as suggested to leave cuttings in a bucket of water for roots to form- with it not be very hard to plant then- as Id imagine roots would be very tender? I got some cuttings of both, Ive just pushed them in the soil, hoping this will work? |
I tried a few cuttings of Red Dogwood this time last year, and just pushed them into the soil aswell. I'd say less than half of them rooted. According to Walltoall's advice here http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2598&highlight=, I'd imagine I didn't water them regularly enough and thats why I lost so many. Going to try again in the next week or two with more as we are planning on having Red Dogwood as a front hedge behind a fence I have put up.
Sive, what diameter cuttings would they have been using? |
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Sive Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 1731 Location: Co.Wexford
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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:37 pm Post subject: |
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Not much thicker than a pencil as far as I remember....cuttings about 9 or 10 inches long. Cut a slanted cut at the top to remind you which way is up, and to cast the water off. |
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