posted 3 years ago
I regularly take willow cuttings from the current year's growth and leave them standing with one end in water until they root. I probably lose 30-40% but, given that I'm harvesting them for free, it doesn't concern me much. The cuttings that I take are usually 6-8" in length and maybe 1/4" in diameter.
Larger willow logs will also regrow, particularly when left in contact with damp ground or even floating in water - willow will spread this way in the wild, with older branches breaking and floating downstream to regrow. You might have more success with larger logs (as long as they are fresh) if you can find a source.
Small-holding, coppice and grassland management on a 16-acre site.