Hybrid Willow+Silky Willow Installation

[@whatsnextgarage]

I'm about 1 hour south of Green Bay and this will be my first year using your willow and poplar cuttings. all of my cuttings will have to go into tree tubes otherwise the deer will never let them live. Getting close to planting season, can't wait

[@big_rock_trees]

Awesome! Definitely protect the trees for 2-3 growing seasons because the deer love to nibble on the new shoots!

[@proudpennsylvanian330]

Does the fabric stay in place or do you cut it out around the willow and remove once they are established?

[@big_rock_trees]

You can do either or. I have left fabric in a silky willow line that is 6 years old. You will have to expand the fabric surrounding the stump over the years to allow enough room for the trunk/base of the shrub to expand properly! If you want to remove, I would wait until after 3-4 growing seasons before removing the fabric.

[@MichOutdoors]

Did customers fence silky willows and hybrids or just hybrids?

[@big_rock_trees]

The customer will be fencing just the hybrid willows. If you screen lines are closer together, then I would just surround both lines with the fencing so the deer can't nibble on the tips of the silky willows throughout the winter months. An example of surrounding long lines with electric is on our TN Installation Results-video. This shows both lines being protected at the same time.

[@michaelbardenwerper467]

Would you recommend using something like liquid fence on hybrid willows to help them establish and minimize deer and rabbit browsing if you couldn’t cage them?

[@big_rock_trees]

I have tried some deer resistant sprays for the Hybrid Willow before and that has worked. The only issue is reapplying the chemicals because they grow so quickly that any growth needs to be sprayed otherwise the deer will nibble those new unsprayed shoots. If you live close to your hybrid willow trees, then reapplying the liquid fence would be easy, otherwise an electric fencing is another option that would keep deer off of the trees year round for the first couple growing seasons. Thanks-Seth

[@newgen_oldlifts5389]

If I was to cage them: would you individually cage the shrubs or could I cage the whole line?

[@big_rock_trees]

If you are planting a double staggered row, I would surround the entire line with a fence of some sort. We have used electric fence, snow fence, or heavy duty deer netting to keep deer off the trees at last the first couple growing seasons.

[@randyf5412]

Did you say 5" diameter rod?

[@randyf5412]

5/8dia

[@big_rock_trees]

Yes 5/8'' diameter rod for our more wide cuttings(hybrid poplar, hybrid willow) and then we like to use a 3/8'' diameter for our shrubs!

[@mitchvaughn5977]

How does that project look today?

[@big_rock_trees]

I'm going to be heading back there hopefully this fall to grab some photos and videos of the 2nd year growth! Stay tuned-Seth

[@mitchvaughn5977]

Perfect I'll be waiting to see results

[@georgehelzer7569]

Out of curiosity, what is the land owner going to do with that middle section? Just let it go and what pops up is good? I dont suspect once the willows get up that much will grow there, especially anything to compete with the willows. That gap may be very beneficial. Now he needs some evergreen options sprinkled in there to help break up more over time and in the dead of winter.

[@big_rock_trees]

Landowner was going to let it naturally grow up with grasses because by year 3 the trees and shrubs will be overtaking the area!