We fell in love with Willow as we searched for the first crop for our marginal farmland. There are over 350 species of Willow in the world, extending much further beyond the eponymous Weeper. The Willow is a miraculous plant. Certain varieties can grow up to 8 feet in one growing season. Cut off a branch, stick it in the ground, and it will sprout. Super fast growing trees like Willow consume more carbon than they produce (even when burnt for fuel). Around the world, scientists are experimenting with using living Willow trees as “bio-refineries” to help clean up toxic waste.

There are 37 different types of Willow growing at Hedgerider farm. Live plants are raised for use in landscaping and living structures. We are also cultivating Willow for harvest , with an eye towards furniture, basketry, wattle fencing, artist’s charcoal, and floral arrangements. We hope to refine our collection as we identify the varieties that flourish in our ecosystem.

Our Willow coppice is the first step in establishing a broad scale Agroforestry plan for Hedgerider Farm’s 32 acres. We hope to add copses of other trees, including short term rotation species (5-10 year) for craft and furniture, and longer term rotations 
(10-30 year) for lumber and fuel.

Like most of North America’s forests, our land has suffered much in the past 200 years and is still under threat from irresponsible development and agricultural practices. If we are to hold on to our natural forested landscapes we must work with the land to identify crops that can be grown in harmony with, and reap the benefit of, the forest’s wildness.