EFarmer.us Willow Production, Market and Return December 2008 copyright eStudy.us 2008...

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WillowProduction, Market and ReturnDecember 2008

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Overview of Willow (salix)

–A versatile woody, ornamental• Well –known for flexible and vigorous growth (hundreds of

varieties)• Popular in basket and furniture making• Can be used for trellises, fencing, floral arrangements, bio-

energy and landscaping



Market Opportunities• Sold as dried rods for basketry, furniture, etc• Sold as live cuttings for plantings• Marketing possibilities:– Internet– Direct Sales to craftsmen– Craft fairs– Farmers’ markets– Nurseries



Market Outlook• Kentucky’s one commercial willow farm

unable to meet increasing demand for domestically grown willow. (retired in April)

• Currently there are very few basketry willow growers in the U.S.– Much of the willow used for this is

imported (mainly from British Isles)



Production Characteristics• Willows thrive in deep, rich soil where there is plenty

of water• It is, however, a hardy plant

– Willow will tolerate poorer soils and windy sites

– A high water table is not absolutely necessary


Production Characteristics• Soil preparation

– The usual practice is to spray the site in late summer with a broad-spectrum contact herbicide, plow to 12 inches deep and power harrow in the spring


Production Characteristics• Planting material consists of fresh 10-12 inch

cuttings (taken from 1 year old willow shoots during dormancy)

• Cuttings are planted while still dormant (November through March) by inserting them directly into the soil by hand until 80-90% of the stem is buried.

• Planting distances vary depending on the willow variety and use (A common spacing is around 30cmX50cm for fine basketry willows)


Production Characteristics• Establishment and Maintenance

– Once established, willows are low maintenance (may produce for 20+ yrs)

– Full sun and the lack of competition are important for newly planted willows• After the first year, willows are cut back to the

ground during dormancy to promote multiple stem growth• After the first year, plants are cut annually or

according to preferred cutting cycle


Production Considerations• Pest Management– Deer can become a major problem,

possibly requiring the installation of an electric fence

– Rabbits can also be a problem when they girdle around the base of plants

– Insect problems can include aphids and Japanese beetles


Production Considerations• Weed Management– It is very important to keep beds weed-free

from planting to establishment– Methods include:• Cultivation• Hand weeding• Herbicides• Mulches (Black polyurethane not

recommended


Production Considerations• Weed Management (cont’d)

• Once established, willows are better able to compete and will generally outgrow the weeds in the beds themselves. Areas between the beds can be mowed.


Harvest and Processing•Most basketry and floral willows

are cut annually when plants are dormant, beginning in late fall and ending at bud break in the spring• This is also the time that cuttings

are taken to expand the operation and/or sell to other growers


Harvest and Processing• Harvested stems (rods) are first sorted by length and

variety. • Rods are then allowed to dry naturally or are processed• Processing can involve steaming or boiling, followed by

peeling and drying. • Rods are stored under dry conditions until sold.


Labor RequirementsEstimated per acre:

15 to 35 hours for planting10 hours for production 50 hours for harvesting 150 hours for sorting, handling and

marketing. Installation of a fence the first year,

would require additional labor



Product Cost• Site preparation is a key economic consideration for perennial

crops like willow• Upgrading soil quality, preparing planting beds and controlling

weeds can be costly• Potential producers should experiment with willow

production to refine production costs and marketing strategies


Product Cost• Producers with a potential deer feeding problem should be

prepared to invest in fencing for deer control. Depending on the type of fence, this cold be

the most costly part of production.If permanent fencing is desired, costs could

easily exceed $5,000 per acre (lower cost electric fence options could decrease this cost)



Product CostVariable CostsSite prep herbicideHired LaborWillow plantingsWeed control: -Mulch -Or herbicidesMachinery costsMarketing costs

Fixed CostsFencing Farm Machinery

•


Returns• An acre of well-managed willow could produce 4 to 5 tons of

marketable rods • 2004 prices for willow rods for basketry are $5.50 per pound. • If markets are accessible, this could provide significant returns

to land, labor and management


Risk• Willow is a thinly traded commodity• Returns to land, labor and management

could vary from $4,000 to $40,000 per acre– Depending on acreage, production method,

type of willow and market

• Cost of fencing (if necessary)



Basic Summary• Currently very few U.S. Producers of willow• KY’s one local producer unable to meet market

demand• Costs are due mainly to site preparation and

fencing (if required)• One acre could produce 4 to 5 tons of willow

rods• Market price (2004) is $5.50/lb.



Appendices• http://www.uky.edu/Ag/NewCrops/

introsheets/willowintro.pdf• http://www.uky.edu/Ag/NewCrops/

marketing.html• http://slimwetwillows.co.uk/

cuttings.htmPhotos -• http://scrtc.com/~rharrison62/english.html• American Willow Growers Network (AWGN)

http://www.english basketrywillows.com

•


EFarmer.us Willow Production, Market and Return December 2008 copyright eStudy.us 2008...

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