Are you interested in productivce agroforestry? If so, then you need to consider Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) willow – The Fastest Sprinting Tree. Take a look at this film which shows the tremendous growth achieved at the two Scottish Biomass Connect sites at SRUC Boghall (Edinburgh) and SRUC Auchincruive Estate (Ayr).
Both sites were planted on 11 May 2023. The SRC willow at the Edinburgh site is around 7m tall whilst at Ayr it has reached 10m in height. Let me run that past you again – that’s 7-10 m from a standing start in hust 2.5 years!
That’s incredible growth but it’s even more impressive when you consider the fact that each plant has grown from a 20cm unrooted cutting! Most other crops have no hope of this rapid, quick out of the blocks yield potential. In addition, all the other options e.g. Short Rotation Forestry (SRF) as long rods or rooted plug plants will cost a lot more. A willow cutting costs pennies.
This video shows the value of Biomass Connect demonstrator hub sites. They are world class centres of excellence showing 11 productive biomass crops side by side. Nowhere else in the world can growers, scientists and consultants get this insight to see what grows well in their backyard.
For instance, at the Biomass Connect demonstrator site at Rothamsted Research North Wyke in Devon the SRC poplar and SRF crops (Alder, Robinia, poplat and Eucalyptus) are doing well – although nowhere near the SRC heights obtained in Scotland. It just goes to show that making the right biomass choice is very much about horses for courses!
It’s not too late to purchase willow cuttings and rods, poplar cuttings and rods, Eucalyptus plug plants or miscanthus rhizomes. Find out more visit the WillowSolutions.info shop
