Our challenge over the past few years has been to change established practices in favour of new methods aimed at maximising tree value and minimising environmental impact.
Our clients are incredibly important to us, and we're continuously working behind the scenes on new concepts and ideas that will not only boost their profitability but contribute positively to the countryside and wider environment. We work alongside a number of professionals who’s support with these innovations, not only sees our clients reap the benefits when it comes to selling their mature Cricket Bat Willow trees to us, but also when we create new, or develop existing tree plantations for them.
Some of these unique methods and services include; chipping and recycling wood waste, high purchase prices paid for trees, our free maintenance service with no hidden deductions, unique planting and harvesting methods and up to date guidance on incorporating bat willow into wider environmental schemes, offering additional income streams for landowners.
When are trees felled and what is the process?
Cricket bat willows tend to reach their prime and are ready for harvest after just 15-20 years.
Although bat willows can be felled year-round, ground conditions permitting, we typically aim for a window of a few months each year when the ground has dried out enough for the equipment to access the site. Around 90% of our trees are felled between March and October, when ground conditions are generally more favourable for felling.
Once we have discussed which trees are ready for harvest, we will offer landowners a quote for their trees and handle the whole process from securing a felling licence, arranging the felling and tidy up operation and replanting, whilst working closely with the land agents or landowners, keeping them informed of progress.
For every tree we purchase and fell, we supply and plant at least one sapling (known as a Set) at no cost to the landowner, and we guarantee a buy-back once the trees reach maturity. Trees are planted using our unique planting techniques that are aimed at mitigating losses during droughts by boosting root growth as soon as they start growing in Spring. This is done by using fertiliser products and even mycorrhizal fungi.
We are committed to nurturing the growth of these trees and ensuring that all replacement sets are well cared for until they mature. To support this, we offer free tree maintenance on all growing sets, helping them achieve their optimum value by the time they are ready for harvest.
What is your approach to harvesting bat willows and will my site be looked after?
Felling and preparing willow for bat-making is labour intensive and requires specialised knowledge. The process involves a combination of traditional skills and modern techniques to maintain wood quality. Careful planning is required to minimise the ecological impact when felling trees, such as avoiding nesting seasons or other sensitive times for local fauna.
Due to the species and growing methods of bat willow the wood must be carefully handled to avoid any damage during felling, as even small defects can ruin the bat-making potential. Traditional felling methods using hinges is not effective, often resulting in splitting which devalues the timber enormously. therefore, we use machinery to take the branches off the tree leaving just the tree trunk behind which is then felled by a groundsman whilst being stabilised by the machinery.
The tops are cut off immediately and chipped onsite, as if not they draw moisture from the stem. Bat lengths can be taken from the branch wood as well as the main stem if it is of the correct diameter and quality. Chipped waste is removed and recycled into biomass, amongst other things, or as per landowners requirements.
Our harvesting approach limits the risk of splitting, is less risky for the groundsmen and produces a much tidier site for the landowner whilst minimising damage to the surrounding environment.
What we look for when valuing Cricket Bat Willows:
We look for well maintained trees measuring a minimum of 58 inch circumference. If your fingers don’t touch when you hug it then you have a good one! Trees that are over 75 inches will start to loose value as they become complicated and dangerous to fell, they can also be more susceptible to effects such as wind damage, which can make them worthless so it's best they are felled as soon as they are large enough.
Late pruning marks, side shoots on branches and low down damage caused by machinery or animals can negatively impact the value of the tree. We are looking for one long clean untwisted/kinked main stem.
Well maintained trees with clear stem.
Poorly maintained trees with many side shoots.
How much money can I expect for my Bat Willows?
Cricket bat willows offer far higher returns than other commercial forestry options.
The difference in value can range from £800-£1000+ for well maintained trees, with a clear stem of 12-15ft and £0-£200 for damaged low value trees.
Therefore, 1 hectare (100 trees) of bat willows could return up to £100k /ha in todays market, after the 15-20 year growth period (please note that the trees grow at varying rates so you will see this income spread over a number of years). This size plantation requires a minimal upfront investment of £2k +vat for the purchase and planting of Sets, but once you have completed your first rotation, any replacement sets (from the harvesting of mature trees) will be free of charge.
Due to being commercial forestry, cricket bat willow plantations are not classed as woodland and returns are tax free (income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax & IHT tax free).
What can I do to protect my trees and maintain their value?
Money is in the maintenance! We are the only company to offer free maintenance with no hidden deductions, as we understand and don’t underestimate the importance of caring for bat willows to produce high quality clefts. These are ultimately made into top grade bats, allowing us to pay the best price to landowners for their trees.
Our free maintenance service takes some or all of the burden of maintenance away from the owner or Forestry team through twice yearly visits, after which we provide a report on how the trees are growing, any issues with the land or trees and updates on the market in general. We also look to support land owners by helping them to optimise their growing potential by advising on potential new planting sites and using existing bat willow sites more efficiently.
What we advise landowners:
Strimming is what we advise as best practice (but be very careful not to nick the tree) and always leave some vegetation lower down so the soil is not too exposed. This also allows for ease of access when we come to maintain the trees or harvest them at the end of their rotation.
If you want cattle or sheep to graze, we advise fencing off with electric or wood fencing for the first 7 years of growth. Fencing off the whole area would be cheaper than fencing individual trees and allows for ease of access when English Willow come to maintain and harvest the trees. For more information read our blog on Tree Guards & Fencing here.
Emergency watering using a bowser during drought periods can help to minimise losses when the Sets are still young.
Keep on top of major limbs that snap off as they need to be pruned back to avoid water easily getting into the main body of the tree and rotting it.
Controlling vermin. Squirrels, in particular can cause crown damage which can stunt tree growth, both of which have significant timber quality implications.
Heeling in after high winds & a few weeks after they’ve been newly planted would be beneficial.
Have a read of our 'Maintenance is Essential - How can we Help you' blog here for further information.
Could my cricket bat willows be at risk of disease?
There are two main diseases that can affect cricket bat willows, watermark disease (Erwinia Salicis) and honey fungus (Armillaria mellea). In both cases any tree becoming infected should be felled and removed immediately to prevent the disease from spreading. Diseases can lay dormant and are exacerbated by poor growing conditions or infected tods that have been in sitting water.
You can regularly inspect trees for early signs of the infection. Honey fungus often shows symptoms like pale, small leaves, premature leaf drop, peeling bark and the appearance of white fungal growth under the bark.
To significantly reduce the risk of honey fungus we avoid planting in waterlogged, poorly drained soils and heavy clay soils.
We always avoid planting in areas near to older native broadleaves, particularly oaks due to heightened risk of honey fungus disease.
Conclusion
Our aim, at English Willow, is to make the entire process as hassle free as possible, removing the burden of planting and maintenance from the landowner so they can rest assured that their asset will deliver the highest possible returns. We focus on building long-term relationships with landowners and are proud to partner with estates and farms nationwide, including Blenheim Estate and Belvoir Castle. These partners take advantage of our free maintenance service, competitive purchase prices and enjoy our No Burn policy.
If you have mature or growing cricket bat willows in need of maintenance, or if you'd like a no-obligation quote for your trees, feel free to contact us.
01865 238 945
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