Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Willow and Willow Trees.... => Topic started by: JK Lewis on December 31, 2017, 09:21:29 PM
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Evening all, and happy new year!
Slightly different angle today. I felled another tree the other day and this time took some cuttings from the crown (see the photo below). I'm going to plant them this spring, my idea was that I might make a bat from one of them in about 20 years time. Bit of a longer term project. I figured I might plant a few out at my cricket club, if I can get the approval of the Committee.
It then occurred to me that if everyone planted a couple of willows at their local grounds, it would help to ensure that there's enough wood for the next generation of batmakers, and players. Willow is scarce, and stocks are being hoovered up to meet increasing global demand. If we don't engage with this issue now, then our grandkids will be using bats made from aluminium or pine, and the game will really suffer. I appreciate that this idea may not be feasible everywhere, or might need special permissions, but if some of us started things rolling then a trend might develop.
Anyway, if anyone is interested to help me start a discussion, feel free to comment.
Cheers, Justin
(https://s17.postimg.org/4jqdu0hrj/Cuttings.jpg)
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What type of land is needed to grow the correct willow out of interest ? I’ve got loads of fields but have no idea if they’d be suitable
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What type of land is needed to grow the correct willow out of interest ? I’ve got loads of fields but have no idea if they’d be suitable
If you’ve got loads of fields I guess you’re a lucky man?!
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If you’ve got loads of fields I guess you’re a lucky man?!
Yep. Question still stands
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Any running water on those fields would be a good place to plant a few sprigs
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What type of land is needed to grow the correct willow out of interest ? I’ve got loads of fields but have no idea if they’d be suitable
Ideally near to a stream or where there is plenty of water
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Yep. Question still stands
Far from an expert but i’ve read low lying land with a nearby water source? I’m pretty sure that @JK Lewis can advise you in much more detail.
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What type of land is needed to grow the correct willow out of interest ? I’ve got loads of fields but have no idea if they’d be suitable
Hi Adie
Riverbanks would be perfect, or low lying areas near fresh water (canals, lakes etc), but willow grows pretty well wherever there's a decent amount of rain, and otherwise consistent English weather.
This project would hardly be commercial, really it's just an idea to get more trees out there for the future. The willow growers want trees to be ready in 15 years or so, so they look for the perfect locations. If ours took 18-20 years, No worries!
Best wishes to you and Rob, Justin
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@JK Lewis my granddad has a brook at the end of his drive that I’m sure has Willow growing. Is there anyway to identify the correct type for cricket bats?
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@JK Lewis my granddad has a brook at the end of his drive that I’m sure has Willow growing. Is there anyway to identify the correct type for cricket bats?
We went walking through the woods the other day and I was wondering the same?
Best ways to identify cricket bat willow?
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@JK Lewis my granddad has a brook at the end of his drive that I’m sure has Willow growing. Is there anyway to identify the correct type for cricket bats?
Morning @Calzehbhoy, morning @Andythomo21 , HNY!
OK, right now with no leaves available to study, it is more difficult to identify trees, but with willow we do have some helpful identifiers. Firstly, Cricket Bat Willow will have been obviously planted, like by your granddad's brook or another water source. They will likely be evenly spaced, and should have been pruned as high as possible, so the trunks are clean of branches and shoots. Unpruned trees will be no good for bats, but you can gt a feel for what willow looks like from them. Obviously, we're not talking about weeping willow by the way, Cricket Bat willow should be straight and tall. A mature willow - mature enough for making clefts - will have a trunk about 150 inches before the crown opens up, with a circumference of 54 inches or more.
Hopefully these photos from a row of willows by a brook in my village, might help a little. Look for the details noted above, the shape of the whole tree and the bark structure. If you can get photos of what you find, post them up and we can see what we all think.
(https://s17.postimg.org/4plpe07m7/Trees.jpg)
(https://s17.postimg.org/jybmrt3vj/Tree.jpg)
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Those willows must be prime /expensive assets to have a guard dog protect them like that ! :D
.....beautiful dog that !
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Those willows must be prime /expensive assets to have a guard dog protect them like that ! :D
.....beautiful dog that !
Yeah, she's a great girl. Keeps me healthy in the off-season! 10 years old now, hope she keeps going for a few more.
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@Maverick79
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I would be keen
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What type of land is needed to grow the correct willow out of interest ? I’ve got loads of fields but have no idea if they’d be suitable
Erm, you work for Rob Pack? Surely he'd know?
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Erm, you work for Rob Pack? Surely he'd know?
I do not work for Rob. However, he would know but I’ve never asked and since the option to ask was here I did. If that’s ok with you ?