What Is Cricket Bat Willow?
Q: What exactly is cricket bat willow, and how is it different from other willow trees?
A: The cricket bat willow we grow is English willow, Salix alba caerulea.
In Asia, Kashmir willow is commonly used for bat-making. It produces a denser, heavier bat that is well suited to casual play. English willow, by contrast, is lighter, stronger and offers excellent shock absorption, making it the preferred choice for professional cricket.
Why English Willow Is Used for Cricket Bats
Q: Why is it specifically used for cricket bats?
A: English willow has a unique combination of qualities that make it ideal for bat-making: a straight grain structure, excellent shock absorption, lightweight strength and durability.
It’s also visually distinctive, with the clean, straight grains highly prized by professional players and bat makers alike.
How Long Does Cricket Bat Willow Take to Grow?
Q: How long does it take from planting to harvest?
A: Typically, between 15 and 20 years.
In ideal growing conditions, some trees become suitable for harvest in as little as 12–15 years, which is why we now have our first crop ready for felling.
What Makes a Willow Tree Suitable for Bat-Making?
Q: What qualities make a willow tree suitable for bat-making?
A: A clean, straight trunk is essential.
The trees need to remain free from off-shooting branches along the main stem so that the timber develops a straight grain with as few knots or imperfections as possible.
The Lifecycle of a Cricket Bat Willow Tree
Q: Can you talk us through the lifecycle of one of our willow trees, from nursery to harvest?
A: The trees arrive as what are known as “sets”, essentially 12-foot unrooted willow cuttings.
These are planted directly into the ground where they establish roots and begin growing. Over the years they require ongoing maintenance and protection from pests such as rabbits, hares and deer.
Q: What kind of care and maintenance do the trees need over the years?
A: For roughly the first 10 years, the trees require pruning two or three times annually to prevent offshoots forming along the trunk.
After that point, offshooting tends to slow naturally, and the trees begin putting more energy into their upper growth while the trunk diameter steadily increases towards a harvestable size.
What Happens During a Willow Harvest?
Q: What actually happens during a willow harvest?
A: Unlike traditional tree felling, where a chainsaw operator cuts a directional notch or “gob” into the tree, cricket bat willow is cut clean through as low to the ground as possible.
This maximises the amount of usable timber because any unnecessary cuts effectively waste valuable wood.
We work with J.S. Wright & Sons, who have more than 130 years of experience producing cricket bats. Their own team carries out the harvesting to ensure the trees are cut in the best possible way to minimise waste and protect timber quality.
Depending on the site, the tops of the trees are often left behind as deadwood habitat, creating valuable environments for invertebrates and small mammals.
