Willows in one form or another have been used by man since early times. Indeed it could be said that weaving sticks,to make shelter or useful objects was the original human technology. Not so long ago almost every village throughout the country would have had a Withy Bed and every person would have benefited from the use of willow in some way. So versatile is willow that even today in our modern high tech society todays generation are developing new and innovative uses for this wonderful plant and the materials it produces.

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Below is a list of some of the uses of willow both traditional and modern.
See the list of suggested varieties to find the best variety for your project.
Notes on growing willow
FAQ's, some frequently asked questions, answered

CRAFTS - Get Creative!
Willow plants cropped annually produce an abundant source of long flexible rods ideally suited to basketry and other woven craftwork such as hurdles and plant climbers. Willow and paper lanterns and sculptures are now popular for community and children's processions.

Living willow structures
One of the most exciting and creative new developments in the use of willows is in constructing living willow structures.

Live, usually one year old, willow rods are put into the ground and woven together to make domes, tunnels, arbours, arches, screens, mazes, and many other shapes. These will then root and shoot making a living, growing structure that can be further woven as it grows. School children love them! It is an ideal material for children to work with, requiring lots of imagination. The willow structures/sculptures, apart from being a play resource, can then act as a springboard for cross curricular activities, incorporating art, craft, design, ecology, science and industrial processes. For example, it is easy to make artists charcoal from small amounts of willow primings. As in basketry, almost any type of willow could be used, but the fast growing varieties producing long straight rods are favoured, especially for large structures. Viminalis is generally the most suitable variety. Other species are sometimes used to add further interest.
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GARDEN HEDGES
Willows make excellent garden hedges even in the smallest of gardens. They are easy and quick to establish from cuttings. Attractive leaves, colourful stems, and early flowering ensure a varied appearance which changes with the seasons. They will respond well to trimming and can be kept at a required height and thickness. They can even be cut (or harvested!) only once a year in winter to provide a crop of rods for craft use in the home or school. A willow hedge would also be an excellent addition to a wildlife garden providing valuable habitat for beneficial insects and birds.

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BIO-ENGINEERING
Willow is an exceptionally effective tool for a wide range of bioengineering uses:

Soil stabilisation Viminalis is widely used in Britain and the continent to stabilise vulnerable soil on riverbanks and steep verges. Its suitability is twofold. Firstly it produces a dense fibrous matt of roots, thus binding the soil. Secondly, the numerous shoots will inhibit run-off and cause organic matter to build up around stem bases, which may then root, creating a thicket effect and therefore trapping yet more organic matter.

Waste management There is now a definite trend towards finding biological solutions to (often man made) environmental problems. In the field of waste management this has led to the development of biological filtration systems.

Mini wetland ecosystems are constructed mainly using reeds and willows, which break down and purify a variety of effluents such as farm slurry, human sewage and industrial wastes. The effluent that is treated in such systems is not only detoxified but also actually converted into valuable plant material. For example, sewage is converted into willow, which is then made into baskets. Thus by following natural principles a problem is turned into an asset. Such systems are usually easier and cheaper to implement and manage than high tech solutions, which can be not only vastly more expensive but also less ellective. Fast growing varieties are usually preferred as they have a greater capacity to absorb and process the effluent being treated.

Difficult environments
High Altitude - Limited trials by the Forestry Commission in Wales have shown that the following are of value as pioneer species on cold, wet sites at high altitudes: viminalis, dascylados and daphnoides Coastal Exposure - Research has shown the following varieties to be resistant to salt laden winds by the coast: viminalis, dascylados and daphnoides

Land Reclamation and Soil Improvement The root action and abundant leaf litter of willows make them very effective pioneers in improving the physical structure and nutrient levels in the poorest of soils. Often they are used in the first stage of rehabilitation ultimately improving conditions to allow a wider range oi plants to flourish. Trials in this country have shown that coal spoil with a high pyrite content can be successfully treated with a combination of sewage sludge/cake application and willow planting. Because of the adaptability of the growing plant and the rapid growth and versatile nature of the willow rods, such sites are thus transformed from a visual eyesore and source of polluted run off water, to a rich habitat, landscape amenity and valuable resource for willow products.

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Firewood Production

Wood burning stoves
Growing willow is an ideal way to produce a regular and plentiful supply of firewood for the home or workshop. Planted at approx 1sq m per plant and coppiced every 4-5 years you can grow logs 3-5 inches in diameter. "Super Willow" varieties Viminalis, Dasyclados and Chinese can produce as much as 10 -15 tonnes of dry wood per H per year. Even more on some sites!

Divide your willow beds into 4 or 5 blocks and you can cut willow logs every year. Plant 1ft cuttings through weed suppressing mulch or 4ft cuttings straight into grass.

Advice
for for more information see sections Growing Willow and FAQ's

We are happy to advise you on your personal needs to ensure the success of your willow project.

Contact us by phone 01594 861782/ Mobile: 07947 728 186 or email using our simple form

Availability. We suggest you telephone us to check the availability of your requirements. We often have in stock varieties not listed in the catalogue. Enquires welcome.
Ordering. We accept orders by post or email or by phone. We accept payment by cheque through the post or by credit /debit cards by phone. If ordering by post please complete this order form. Detailed planting instructions will be sent with each order, but we have also prepared some notes on caring for your willow cuttings.