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Herbs, Flowers & Specialty CropsWillow Planting Calendar
Willow is one of the easiest woody plants to start, because dormant cuttings root readily. The calendar below follows the dormant season and sets out the cutting, coppice and moisture decisions that determine success.
Key points
- Plant dormant cuttings between soil thaw and bud break.
- Keep cuttings moist and plant them promptly, right end up.
- Keep willow away from pipes and structures, and check permits near water.
- Coppice in the dormant season and record the results.
When should you plant willow cuttings?
Willow is usually planted from dormant, unrooted cuttings, taken while the plant is leafless and set out in late winter or early spring when soil is workable and not frozen. Conservation and extension sources describe dormant-season planting as the standard method for streambank and erosion projects.
Count from your own conditions. For example, if your soil usually thaws in March and buds break in April, you would take and plant cuttings between the thaw and bud break. Ask your county extension office or conservation district for the local window.
If your site is dry, willow cuttings will need water through their first summer, and you may want to choose another species instead. Willows planted in dry sites without irrigation often fail.
How do you collect and prepare cuttings?
Cut straight, healthy, one-year or older stems from a known willow while dormant, and keep them moist and cool until planting. Many guides suggest cutting the bottom end on an angle and the top square so you can tell which end goes down. Length and thickness guidance varies, so use the figures in your extension or conservation publication.
If you must store cuttings, keep them in cool, moist conditions and plant as soon as you can. Dry cuttings often fail.
Plan for the future size of the plants. A willow that looks small as a cutting can grow quickly and reach large dimensions, with roots that seek water. Space plants according to your purpose, and keep them clear of drains, septic fields, buildings and power lines. Where a planting is meant for basketry, regular coppicing keeps plants at a manageable height, and where it is meant for a screen, pruning each year keeps it dense and at the height you want.
What site and moisture does willow need?
Willows generally want sun and a steady supply of moisture, often near streams, ponds or wet areas. They are thirsty and shallow rooted, which causes trouble near drains, septic systems and foundations. Keep willow well away from pipes and structures, and ask your local authorities about setbacks.
Check local rules before planting near a waterway. Streambank work often requires permits, and your conservation district or state environmental agency can explain them.
Which willow for which purpose?
Different species and varieties are used for basketry, living fences, windbreaks, biomass and erosion control. Growth habit, flexibility and disease resistance differ widely. Pick a type that suits your purpose and your region, and avoid invasive species or varieties that your state restricts. Ask extension or your state forestry agency for recommendations.
- Basketry: long, flexible shoots from coppiced stools.
- Living fences and screens: closely spaced cuttings.
- Erosion control: live stakes along banks, with permits where required.
- Biomass: dense plantings managed on a cutting cycle.
What is the coppice calendar?
Coppicing means cutting stems back to near ground level in the dormant season so the stool regrows many straight shoots. Basketry growers typically cut once a year in winter, after leaf fall, and strip or dry the rods afterward. Biomass systems use longer cycles.
Keep records of cutting date, regrowth and the length of the rods you produce so you can adjust spacing and cutting height.
Stools that are cut each year can stay productive for many years, but they weaken if cut too late in spring after growth has started. Cut while dormant, and leave stumps clean and slanted so water drains.
How do you manage weeds and water in the first year?
Cuttings compete poorly with weeds. Mulch, mowing or weed barrier around new plants helps. Water during dry spells in the first season, following local water rules. Any herbicide near water must follow the label strictly, and some products are not allowed near water, so ask extension first.
What pests and diseases affect willow?
Willows can suffer from leaf beetles, borers, rust and canker diseases. Healthy, vigorous plants tolerate more. If a problem appears, have it identified by extension before treating, and follow labels, including bee and aquatic hazard statements. Applicator licensing rules vary by state.
Keep an eye on plant health after cutting. Remove dead stems and clean tools between plants if disease is present, which limits spread.
Take notes on which cuttings rooted, how fast they grew and what you cut each winter. After two or three seasons you will know which varieties suit your site and how many stools you need for the use you have in mind, which is the real purpose of a willow calendar.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 2026. Educational information, ranges only. Confirm timing with your county extension office.