Willow coppice and browse blocks: establishment and management

Tree willow (Salix matsudana x alba) clone 'Tangoio' has potential as supplementary feed for livestock in summer/autumn drought. A trial was conducted in Hawke's Bay to determine the effect of planting stock (1.1 m stakes, 2 m poles) and cutting height (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 m) on edible (leaf + stem < 5 mm diameter) and total tree biomass in 2002 and 2003. Tangoio was also established progressively in high density (4,000-6,900 stems/ha) browse fodder blocks in Wairarapa using 0.75 m stakes, and the trees were browsed with sheep in summer 2003, when the blocks were aged 1-3 years. Total tree yield in all trials ranged from 0.12 to 2.29 t DM/ha/ yr, of which 30-50% was edible. Trees cut to 0.5 m above ground often yielded more (P < 0.05) than those cut at 0.25 m. Tangoio established well in the browse blocks but its biomass was < 20% of that of the understorey pasture. Best management techniques for coppice and browse blocks are recommended. Keywords: willow; supplementary feed; soil conservation; defoliation; tree-pasture systems