Willow Hurdles

Sustainable erosion control

Living willow hurdles are constructed by weaving live willow rods between live willow stakes to form a solid panel.

The willow hurdles are prefabricated at our workshops and installed at the required site.

Live willow hurdles for riverbank erosion control

The area to be covered is cleared of vegetation and levelled to ensure maximum contact between the willow hurdle and the soil to encourage rooting across the whole area of the hurdle. The hurdles are laid on the bank and secured in place with willow or metal stakes.

Willow hurdles can be installed along banks with a slope of no more than 70 degrees. For slopes of around 70 degrees, posts can be installed infront of the willow hurdles to prevent collapse, as the bank or soil back-fill can slip behind the hurdles causing them to bow out at this steepness.

During the first spring after installation the willow sprouts and roots into the soil, strengthening the bank whilst the hurdles provide an effective barrier against water erosion.

Using live willow hurdles can be the most cost effective method to prevent erosion where access to the site is limited as the hurdles are prefabricated and installation is comparatively quick and easy when undertaken by experienced professionals.

JPR Environmental offers a nationwide willow hurdle supply and installation service from November to April. We also supply live willow hurdles by the square metre for you to install yourself.

If you would like to discuss using willow hurdles to prevent erosion by water please contact us.

If you would like more general information on willow, please go to our willow website.