In the world of cricket, the choice of bat can significantly impact a player's performance. Among the various types of bat materials, Butterfly English Willow stands out for its unique characteristics and benefits.
Despite its distinct appearance, Butterfly English Willow comes from the same Salix alba caerulea tree as other grades of English willow.
How can you tell if a cricket bat is a butterfly willow?
Butterfly willow is a type of cricket bat wood distinguished by a butterfly-shaped stain on its surface, resulting from pruned branches during growth. This dense scar enhances the bat's durability and performance. It's identifiable by the distinct, darker 'butterfly' markings across the bat face.
Right, keep reading and get all the details so you can make an informed decision on butterfly willow.
The Origin of The Butterfly Willow Stain
The signature feature of Butterfly English Willow bats is the butterfly-shaped stain. This mark is not a flaw, but rather a natural occurrence resulting from the tree's growth process. As the willow tree grows, branches are pruned over a 10- to 15-year period.
This pruning leaves a scar, resembling a butterfly, on the wood. This scar is not only visually distinctive but also enhances the wood's properties.
The stain marks a tough point in the wood, contributing to the bat's excellent 'ping,' outstanding performance, and durability and is available in adult and childrens cricket bats.
How Long Does Cricket Bat Willow Take To Grow?
Cricket bat willow trees, Salix alba caerulea, typically take 12–20 years to mature before harvesting. During that time, branches are pruned to promote straight growth, the very process that causes the butterfly scar to form.
Once mature, each tree can yield around 30–40 clefts, though only a few are of high enough quality to be made into top-grade bats, making every butterfly willow bat truly unique and making them ever more sought after.
Characteristics of Butterfly Willow
One remarkable aspect of Butterfly English Willow is that it can occur in any English willow cleft. This means that a butterfly scar can appear in clefts from any tree, regardless of the number of grains across the face, be it 10-12 grains or as few as 4 grains.
The scar area is denser than the surrounding wood, making it stronger. However, this density also means that it is rare to find lightweight butterfly clefts.
Despite this, bats made from this willow are renowned for their durability and exceptional performance, and are becoming highly sought after, especially with bats with a duckbill profile cricket bat.
The image below shows a butterfly cricket bat that required a toe shape change.
Are Butterfly Willow Bats Good?
Butterfly willow cricket bats are highly regarded for offering exceptional value. While their darker stain once lowered their visual grade, many players now appreciate that these clefts produce bats with tremendous power and strength.
The denser wood structure enhances ping and resilience, making them ideal for both club and competitive cricket. Despite their lower aesthetic grade, their on-field performance is often comparable to that of higher-priced Grade 1 bats, but without the price tag.
Butterfly Willow Economic Value
Another key aspect is their economic value. Since the butterfly stain is not conventionally aesthetically pleasing, bats made from this willow are generally more economical than those made from players' grade or grade one - you can pick up a grade 1 butterfly willow for around £230 - £270, which is exceptional value.
This makes them an attractive option for players looking for high-quality bats at a more affordable price point.
Why Are English Willow Cricket Bats So Expensive?
English willow bats are expensive because top-grade clefts are scarce and prized for their clean, straight grains and light colour. Butterfly willow comes from the same trees but features visible stains that don’t affect play.
This visual difference means players can enjoy similar performance levels to Grade 1 willow at a fraction of the price, making butterfly willow an affordable yet premium-performing choice.
Emperor Butterfly English Willow
An exclusive variant is the Emperor Butterfly English Willow. This type of willow takes the characteristics of the standard butterfly willow to a higher level.
Bats made from Emperor Willow not only have the durability and performance qualities of regular butterfly willow but are often chosen for their unique aesthetic and rarity, making them a prized possession for many cricketers.
Durability and Performance of Butterfly Willow
These bats are more durable, making them a popular choice among players. Their unique composition, marked by the butterfly stain, ensures a longer lifespan and consistent performance over time.
The strength of the wood in the scar area contributes to the bat's ability to withstand high-impact hits, making these bats incredibly reliable and a favourite among players who value longevity and resilience in their equipment.
How Long Does an English Willow Bat Last?
The lifespan of an English willow bat, including butterfly willow, depends on use and maintenance.
Typically, a well-cared-for bat lasts 2–3 seasons or around 1,000–1,500 runs. Butterfly willow’s denser grain around the scar often means it lasts longer than standard clefts. Proper oiling, knocking-in, and avoiding excessive moisture all help maintain the wood’s integrity and prolong its life, especially in the off-season when proper storage is key.
Is Butterfly Willow Good for Beginners or Club Players?
Butterfly willow bats are perfect for club cricketers and those starting who want top-tier performance without the high cost.
Their naturally denser wood makes them slightly heavier, giving players a more solid feel and excellent control through the shot. The added durability also means beginners are less likely to damage their bat, making butterfly willow a practical and reliable choice for long-term use.
Trogon's Collection
Our collection includes stock cricket bats, and we also provide the option for players to have customised bats made to their personal specifications. Our butterfly willow collection stands out for its blend of performance, durability, and economic value, where available..
Butterfly Willow Conclusion
In conclusion, bats made from Butterfly Willow offer a unique combination of durability, performance, and economic value. Whether you choose a standard bat or opt for the rarer Emperor, you are investing in a cricket bat that will serve you well on the field.
At Trogon, we are proud to offer these exceptional bats in both stock and customised options, ensuring that every cricketer can find a bat that meets their needs and preferences. Discover the difference of Butterfly English Willow with Trogon's expertly crafted collection.
Playing Our Part in Your Cricket Story
We know that cricket is more than just a game; it’s a passion, a community, and a lifetime of memories. That’s why every Trogon bat is made with care, dedication, and pride. We see our role as more than just bat makers; we’re part of your cricket journey.
From the first knock in the nets to the biggest innings of your career, we want to be there with you.
Choosing Trogon means choosing a bat made with honesty, integrity, and the same love for the game that you carry to the crease.
Trogon Product Guarantee
When you buy from Trogon, you’re covered by our 6-month bat guarantee. If your bat cracks or breaks within that period and has been knocked in correctly, we’ll replace it with a new one, simple, fast, and hassle-free. Combine that with your statutory online protections, and you can shop with total peace of mind.
