About Us

People involved with willows tend to be evangelists. They speak about their favourite subject with a semi religious zeal that cannot fail to convert a defenceless person to the virtues of the genus Salix. When I walked into Long Ashton Research Station (LARS) in March 1994, I thought a willow was a weeping tree and I had no idea what on earth biomass energy was.

Nevertheless, meeting Rod Parfitt, the former curator of the National Willow Collection, on that day changed my life.

It was much later that I was introduced to Rod’s former mentor Ken Stott OBE who had been the Willows Officer from 1949-89. Ken is “The Knowledge” when it comes to willows and his various papers such as “Willows in the Service of Man” were a huge influence on me.

I was the willow breeder at LARS for 7 years. The aim of the work was to produce taller, straighter, thicker and ultimately higher yielding and disease resistant willows to provide a source of renewable fuel.

I bred a number of varieties that I named after ships of discovery and exploration such as Beagle, Quest, Resolution, Discovery, Terra Nova, Nimrod, Endeavour and Endurance. These are planted as 20 cm cuttings in March and have been known to grow over 4 metres in just 6 months! Many farmers particularly in the North of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland are currently growing these varieties to fuel power stations and heating systems.

I have written extensively on the use of willow for energy and you can read these articles on my Crops for Energy website. Over the years, with Rod and Ken’s influence I became steeped in the local history of the cultivation of willows and cider apples and as a result I've got more and more interested in the different uses of trees. 

The Wondertree project isn’t just about trees – it’s also about helping people make positive steps to fight climate change and to create a greater bond with nature and the environment. My hope is that you will find this site inspirational and learn about the minor ways in which we can all make a big difference such as using a willow shopping basket instead of a disposable plastic bag. Being environmentally conscious needn’t be worthy, it can be fun and you’ll be surprised how good it can make you feel. Try it!

I hope you enjoy my website and get as much enjoyment out of growing willows for use and ornament as I do.