Growing Poplar and Willow Trees on Farms, National - FAO

2.3 Planting poles
Essentials of pole planting
• Ensure that poles are planted in suitable sites – in moist soils or
depressions where they will grow well.
• Plant them at least 60-80 cm deep – up to a third of the pole length.
• Ensure they are protected from livestock.
• Sleeves should be well secured on each pole.
• Keep poles tight in the ground – if they loosen, any roots will break
<strong>and</strong> poles will die.
• Remove <strong>and</strong> reuse sleeves from any dead poles.
• Look after the growing poles – they are worth caring for.
• MAKE SURE the pole is the right way up!
Protect the bark An essential precaution
when transporting poles is to protect the
bark from damage or the pole can become
diseased <strong>and</strong> dry out more easily. Use
straps, ropes <strong>and</strong> protective pads, rather
than chains, when securing a load of poles
<strong>and</strong> unload them carefully.
Before planting Slice the lower end of
each pole at an angle of 40-60 degrees so
that it can absorb water, <strong>and</strong> then soak
these ends for 8-12 days, preferably using
fresh-flowing water <strong>and</strong> definitely not
stagnant water, to ensure they are full of
water at planting time. The pole points are
normally sliced to a point in the nursery
prior to supply.
Poles establishing in Wairarapa
Poles left horizontal with overhead sprinklers on them will achieve better
wetting over a seven-day period. Vertical stacking of poles is an option but
water uptake is not as successful.
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