The oft maligned willow tree can, if planed and planted out properly, become a boon for every homestead! The salix family (willows) are fast growing, hardy, extremely vigorous, and easily propagated. All desirable traits in the right context, all negative in the wrong one!

Be thoughtful when planting your new willow!

Sometimes referred to as “poop beasts”, willows are able to take up and utilize excess fertility in the form of phenomenal growth. They also thrive in excessively moist, sometime anaerobic soils where other trees and plants would fail. Their rapid growth comes at a cost though as willows are generally short lived and branches can be prone to breaking, but their root systems can be quite extensive and aggressive. Keep your willow plantings away from septic and sewer lines as well as buildings to avoid these major drawbacks.

Using Willow on the Homestead!

The willow is probably the easiest tree to propagate so if you’re looking for some quick success with growing new plants from cuttings, willow is the place to start. The leaves and bark of willow make a great homestead grown rooting stimulant for any other cuttings you want to make as well. Willow makes a fantastic fodder tree for livestock, and can be used in living fence systems to great effect. As part of a hedgerow, windbreak or property boundary planting willow works quite well. Willow branches and twigs are great for craft projects, baskets, and wattle fences. There are many willow cultivars ranging from native work horses to elegant landscape showpieces, so go out and plant this homestead hero today……just make sure you plant it in the right spot!!!!