Gray-Nicolls Willow

How It Works

Whether you're already growing willow or starting from scratch, we make the journey simple and rewarding.

Grow or Supply

Have existing willow trees ready to sell? We'll assess and offer top prices. Want to grow? We’ll help you plant the perfect willow for cricket bats.

Maintain

Minimal care is required. We’ll provide guidance and periodic checks to keep your trees healthy and profitable.

Harvest

Our team handles cutting, transport, and cleanup — making the process stress-free and efficient for you.

Get Paid

We reward quality with premium, tax-free payments — making your investment a strong, sustainable choice.

As part of the Grays of Cambridge group, Grays Willow aims to purchase, plant and cultivate willow sources, providing wood for the iconic Gray-Nicolls brand, making us a solid partner for you. We are proud of this rich heritage and the exciting financial and environmental opportunities it creates for British landowners.

Ready to Turn Your Willow into Something Great?

Join hundreds of British landowners already growing with Gray-Nicolls. It's simple, profitable, and sustainable.

Get Started Today

Let Your Willow Work for You

Whether you're managing woodlands or a smallholding, Gray-Nicolls offers tailored, profitable solutions for your willow.

Full-Site Harvesting

Tax-Free Premiums

Simple, Managed Process

Get Started Today

Why Work With Gray-Nicolls?

We go beyond buying willow — we build lasting partnerships grounded in value, trust, and sustainability.

Zero-Waste Approach

We aim to reduce emissions and support local industry by using every part of the tree, only chipping what’s absolutely necessary.

Environmental Incentives

We’ll help you unlock relevant grants and environmental schemes for added returns and ecological impact.

Tree Care Guidance

Receive hands-on advice for inspecting and managing trees throughout the year to maintain top-quality growth.

Profitable Forestry Crop

Cricket bat willow is among the most valuable forestry crops — especially when grown knot-free and healthy.

Tailored Support

Every landowner is different. We offer a fully managed, personalised service to match your goals and land type.

Clean, Careful Harvesting

We harvest efficiently with respect for your land — leaving behind a clean, tidy site with no hassle to you.

Top Market Prices

We reward quality with premium, tax-free payments — making your investment a strong, sustainable choice.

“The platform has made selling willow simple.”

Rachel Miller, Kent Farms

“As a landowner, I appreciate how efficient and reliable this service is.”

Martin Shaw, Estate Manager

“Working with Gray-Nicolls has turned underused land into a profitable, sustainable asset. Their team guided me from day one.”

Helen Barker, Woodland Owner

“Prompt payment, no hassle, and a great team. I’d recommend Gray-Nicolls to any landowner looking for long-term value.”

David Knight, Forestry Consultant

What Our Growers Say

Hear from landowners who are already benefiting from our willow-growing partnership.

"Working with Gray-Nicolls has turned underused land into a profitable, sustainable asset. Their team guided me from day one."

– James H., Kent Farmer

"The process was seamless — from planting to harvesting. And seeing my willow go into real bats was incredibly rewarding."

– Susan R., Estate Owner

"Prompt payment, no hassle, and a great team. I’d recommend Gray-Nicolls to any landowner looking for long-term value."

– Tom B., Sussex Grower

Fast Payment. Fair Prices.

We pride ourselves on paying growers promptly and competitively. Whether you're supplying willow or planting with us, your time and timber are valued — and that’s reflected in your return.

Top market rates for quality willow
Payment processed within days of collection
Transparent valuation process every step of the way

The Journey of a Cricket Bat Willow

From wetland planting to world-class performance — every Gray-Nicolls bat begins its story in British soil.

Gray-Nicolls works closely with large estates, farmers, and landowners to identify areas suitable for planting cricket bat willow — typically wetter, low-lying land. We grow from our own carefully maintained set beds, selecting only the highest quality trees for planting.

After approximately 20 years of growth, the mature willow trees are professionally harvested and transported to our facility in Robertsbridge, where the manufacturing process begins.

From British Soil to Cricket's World Stage