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While it is said that you just stick a willow in the ground and it will grow, it is really just not that simple. Fifty percent recruitment is considered a successful benchmark and it takes about 3-5 years to establish a willow plant and only if you plant it under the best of conditions. The cuttings need to be green, undamaged, have sufficient length and allowed to sprout prior to planting. The planting sites are usually located on the outer meanders or on the straight a ways, have a sufficient filtration zone and close to the stream. Thus, it comes down to sufficient soil depth with the cutting placed in the lowest part of the water table estimated for that area. We use a drill powered auger to create a 2-inch diameter hole, place cutting and leaving only 3-4 buds above ground. The hole are back filled with soil/sand.
These photos show a few planted areas when done.