Willow Whips are they good to be at fence for privacy?

sujsuj

I was looking for replacement options for the Leylandii I cut down along the boundary with my neighbour. Since the next property is an industrial estate, height is not really an issue. The most cost-effective option I’ve found so far is buying tall willow rods, which are available up to 4 m in length. I understand they may require more water, but apart from that, are they a good option for creating a quick, long-lasting privacy screen? Will willow rods grow quickly enough to provide cover within 2–3 years? I am aware willows are not ever green like Lylandi.Thanks.

Eldi_Dos

Do not know if they would suit your location but I am a great fan of Willow Walls. Round our way several have been installed over the years when there have been road realignment schemes.They have all matured well and provide good screening and I assume a good habitat for wildlife.
Might be worth looking into.

The system I saw installed was , two rows of parallel wooden poles where dug in then between rows of willow whips where planted and interwoven along the line of posts, bit like basket work. Then some soil placed between the rows, over the years they have matured well and the soil level between the posts has risen.
I presume with leaf fall and natural composting.

sujsuj

Thanks for the response. If by any chance you happen to pass this area, it would be great if you could take some pictures. That would help me understand how effective they are and how much effort is needed to maintain them. Thanks.

twopenny

What is the area like?
Willow naturally grows in damp soil and they have an extensive root system. 
How much of the previous hedge is underground root? The soil will be poor and dry there for some time unless you have the inclination to dig it out and replace.

Are you prepared for the watering considering the summers we're having? And the fact they are deciduous so won't have leaves for half the year. As said if woven that looks attractive but will be an ongoing task

They are fast growers for sure so pruning will be a job too.

Ectophile

They are a wetland plant, so I wouldn't bother unless the ground is usually damp.  They will tolerate even completely waterlogged soil in winter.

TELLIT01

Depending on how close to properties it is intended to plant them, I would be concerned about the long term potential problems.  As said above, willow has an extensive root system.

Yorkie1

Willows can be very aggressive growers. Be careful with the location.

sujsuj

I am planning to buy 4 m willow rods to replace the Leylandii I previously had for privacy next to an industrial estate. I chose 4 m rods because I hope they will grow over the next 2–3 years to provide good screening .

I have seen pictures of willow rods as they look when first planted, but I cannot find any images showing how they will look after one year. I am keen to visualise the growth after the first year. Some google images I found are not believable — for example, the first  image

 Can anyone give me an idea of how a 4 m willow rod will look after one year? Will it resemble that of first  picture? Will it grow to around 5–6 m and provide effective privacy? will they grow thick as first pic?

As far as I know, this is the cheapest way to get trees of this height, since even smaller Leylandii are expensive.

Thanks!.

Yorkie1

Willow can rapidly get out of control. On the allotments, where people have planted them, they will easily put on 2-3m+ growth per year. I do not think that picture is necessarily unrealistic.

They must be pruned back to ground level annually for responsible management.

Over time, the base becomes a thicker trunk. Remember that you are essentially planting little trees.

If it's relatively close to the house, investigate whether their roots might cause longer-term damage (I don't know if they do or not).

Personally, I'd avoid owing to probable long-term issues. 

Nobbie1967

Those willow rods won’t do much at all in the first year. They may not even survive unless the area is permanently wet. They need time to establish an extensive root system before they can grow vigorously.

twopenny

I'd say they are too big to root easily and being so tall they will blow out.
That's why most trees are planted small to start.

Foliage will be at the top so a gap for most of them.
What type are they? You need to look that up because there are a lot of varieties with different habits 
I'm guessing they are sold as hedging? Look more like for weaving to me.