Tree Lifecycle
Set Beds / Planting / Felling / Manufacturing
Set Beds
This is all down to the management of the bed by our in house forestry team who check for infestations of insects or bacteria and treat the trees accordingly. You cannot just plant a “set bed “ as you see in the photo and leave it and think it will produce top quality trees, because it won’t. This one has been coppiced and will grow again to be harvested in another three to four years depending on the weather.
Gray Nicolls have invested in growing our own sets for planting all over the UK.
Another new cricket bat willow set bed planted to give us a few thousand new trees in three or four years time.
Planting
to successfully plant cricket bat willow trees, choose a location with good sunlight, soil suitable for willows, and consider potential for water access. Plant sets at 10-12 meter spacing, ensuring enough room for growth and maximizing space for mature bats. Protect young trees with guards and prune regularly to maintain a straight, clear stem.
How long does cricket bat willow take to grow?
15 to 20 years
This relatively fast-growing species reaches maturity in 12 to 20 years. Trees are ready for harvesting when their circumference measures 58 inches (147.5 cm) at a height of 4 feet 8 inches (142.3 cm) from the ground, with an ideally clean trunk of 84 inches (213.5 cm).
There is no site too big or too small for cricket bat willow trees (40 trees per acre/100 trees per hectare). Gray Nicolls offer a planting and maintenance package on new willow plantations.
trees grow best in the fall or early spring when the soil is moist and the weather is cooler. This enables the tree to grow roots prior to the summer's heat and the winter's dryness.
Felling
Felling a cricket bat willow tree (Salix alba caerulea) requires a skilled approach, prioritizing safety and maximizing timber utilization. The process involves assessing the tree's condition, planning the felling, and then carefully executing the cut.
Tree Assessment
Before felling, it's crucial to assess the tree's health, size (circumference), and the quality of the timber. Willow trees are typically harvested when they reach maturity (around 20 years) or when their stem has reached the optimal diameter for bat production.
Waste Disposal
Remaining branches and other waste materials are often chipped and used for landscaping or other purposes.
Timber Management
The felled tree is then processed into appropriate lengths for bat production.
Manufacturing
(Text and photos to follow)