Growing Poplar and Willow Trees on Farms, National - FAO
Growing Poplar and Willow Trees on Farms, National - FAO
Growing Poplar and Willow Trees on Farms, National - FAO
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2 Establishing <str<strong>on</strong>g>Poplar</str<strong>on</strong>g>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Willow</str<strong>on</strong>g>s<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Poplar</str<strong>on</strong>g>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> willows are usually planted from poles, stakes or w<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>s –<br />
sturdy stems that have been grown by experts in plant nurseries, usually<br />
over two seas<strong>on</strong>s. Poles are sold when 2 or 3 metres l<strong>on</strong>g, whereas<br />
stakes/w<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>s are usually 1-1.5 metres l<strong>on</strong>g.<br />
Some c<strong>on</strong>tractors will also supply poplars <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> willows as rooted cuttings, as<br />
they say that these have established <strong>on</strong> farms with high success rates (up to<br />
95 percent). The cuttings however, take l<strong>on</strong>ger to grow into sturdy trees than<br />
do established poles. Browse blocks (for fodder) should be established using<br />
40-50 cm cuttings.<br />
2.1 Identifying the l<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>forms<br />
Before planting any trees a farmer or l<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>owner should plan the operati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Start by gathering informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the soils, particularly depth <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> moisture<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tent, erosi<strong>on</strong> potential, suitable tree types <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> their planting requirements<br />
to ensure subsequent successful tree growth. Seek local advice from a<br />
regi<strong>on</strong>al council l<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> management officer, if possible. The harder sites are<br />
usually planted <strong>on</strong>ly with certain poplar cl<strong>on</strong>es that will tolerate the<br />
c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s, whereas willows usually fail. Where the soils dry out higher up<br />
the slope or <strong>on</strong> north-facing slopes, drought tolerant species, such as<br />
eucalypts, should be planted.<br />
Planting regimes for different l<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>forms<br />
The most basic but critical step before planting any trees is to ensure that the<br />
most suitable tree is selected for the situati<strong>on</strong>. Siting of trees for erosi<strong>on</strong><br />
c<strong>on</strong>trol is largely determined by existing erosi<strong>on</strong> levels.<br />
Why trees are planted<br />
Objectives for growing trees can evolve over time – trees planted<br />
originally for erosi<strong>on</strong> c<strong>on</strong>trol can be used later for shade <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> shelter,<br />
drought fodder in dry summers, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> will still protect a sensitive site.<br />
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