willows: their growth, use, and importance. 45 



ably. In general the smaller the cutting, if protected from mechani- 

 cal injury, the less chance for disease. The best size for average con- 

 ditions is about 16 to 20 inches long and from one-half inch to 1£ 

 inches diameter. In the method known as "pollarding," sometimes 

 employed in willow growing, the cuttings are made 8 to 10 feet long 

 and from 1 inch to 3 inches in diameter from branches or shoots 

 ranging in age from 3 to 5 years. These at the end of the first season 

 present the appearance of a small tree with an 8-foot clear length, 

 and when planted under unfavorable conditions are much more able 

 to compete successfully with other species. However, this high-cop- 

 pice system has its drawbacks. Such plants with a strong growth of 

 sprouts produced 8 feet from the ground on a poorly rooted trunk 

 give an excellent opportunity for serious injury. The wind alone is 

 often sofhcient to sway it enough to break the small new root system. 

 If this occurs in the middle or the latter part of the growing season, 

 it generally kills the plant. There are certain conditions, however, 

 that may make the pollard system advisable. When the trees are 

 to be planted hi situations where they are likely to be periodically 

 inundated, it may be better to have the limbs produced above the 

 reach of the flood if there is no debris or ice to cause serious injury to 

 the trunk. Where animals must be allowed to graze on the land it 

 is better to have the sprouts above their reach, as they not only browse 

 the tender branches but do further damage by tramping and break- 

 ing off the limbs. High coppice is also desirable where the land is 

 to be cultivated between the rows of willows, as the production of a 

 sprout growth from the ground would take up so much room that 

 there could be no economy in growing the two crops together. This 

 is the chief reason why pollarding is resorted to in many parts of 

 Europe. Such a crop practice is little used, however, in this country. 

 The low coppice has the important advantage that it gives a chance 

 for the individual sprouts, especially if they come from the region of 

 the root collar, to form roots of their own so that the life and health 

 of the sprout is not necessarily dependent upon the old trunk. It 

 has been observed that in many instances where a low coppice sys- 

 tem has been employed the original trunk has completely decayed 

 but the surrounding sprouts have formed root systems of their own, 

 from which they receive support and nourishment. Low coppice 

 makes possible an indefinite regeneration of the tree, while the high 

 coppice requires periodic plantings. 



AGE OF CUTTINGS. 



The cuttings should always be made from young, vigorously grow- 

 ing wood. If old wood is used a smaller number of the cuttings will 

 start and the growth at first will be less rapid. The cuttings from 

 • old wood do not start as quickly after planting as do those from young 



