Cricket bat willow (salix alba, var. cærulea) is a cultivated timber which predominantly grows in large plantations in wetland areas throughout Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk. Each tree is individually planted by hand and during its natural life-span, the willow will be tended by the grower to ensure that the tree will be suitable for bat making.

For Salix grading of timber is an ongoing process throughout bat manufacture.  The majority of our wood is purchased in cleft form so has already been graded by the willow suppliers.  However, we tend to re-grade substantially and sadly find that very few grade ones make Salix grade ones nowadays.  Traditionally willow was graded according to the predominance of sapwood, i.e. grade one: sapwood right across the blade with clean straight grain, grade two: some heartwood and twig marks, grade three: more prominent marks and more heartwood.  The heartwood is the red coloured timber from the centre of the tree which is drier as the sap has moved out into the sapwood (whiter wood) towards the bark.  Sapwood is more desirable as retention of the tree's natural moisture (sap) contributes to durability; logically drier wood is more brittle and hence more vulnerable to damage.

These are not hard and fast rules - with correct maintenance, oiling and protective facing, bats of any grade should offer durability.  But these are basic facts about willow which should enable players to make an informed judgment when selecting a bat and of course looking after it properly in use.  Heartwood on the inside edge for example should be given extra protection with facing and glass tape.  Some players prefer heartwood and deliberately choose grade threes for this reason, but to do so involves accepting these properties and looking after the bat accordingly.  Wood must be used in cricket bat making to comply with the laws of the game, but it does not lose its fundamental characteristics when made into a cricket bat.