Everything you need to know about building living willow structures
16 July 2024
There are several hundred species of the willow family (genus Salix). Pliable and colourful, living willow is one of the most versatile natural materials to build with. Read on to find out more about living willow and what you can do with it.
Where to get living willow
The easiest way to obtain willow rods is through specialist willow growers – like us!
Musgrove Willows have been growing willow on the Somerset Levels for the best part of 100 years. Our range has expanded and diversified over the decades, and we now grow more than 60 different varieties of willow on our family farm. Many of the varieties we grow here are highly disease resistant, and perfect for making living willow structures.
Willow stem colours vary, from bright yellow to deep rich, purple, and are most apparent on fresh, one-year growth. The colour of the willow will fade with age. However, heavy pruning will promote new growth and colour. The tone tends to be brightest on willow that is grown in direct sunlight. This can vary depending on soil type and weather conditions.
Living willow is generally used for large outdoor structures, such as domes, tunnels, fencing (or ‘fedges’), and decorative arbours and bowers. Early autumn is a good time to start planning your living willow project, as willow rods can be planted from late autumn.
Harvesting and storing living willow
Willow is usually harvested and cut in late autumn after the leaves have fallen. This is when the most energy is stored in the stem for new growth. Cutting can then continue right through to early spring, but it is best done while the plant is still dormant and before buds start to form.
Traditionally, willow rods are cut right back to their base (also known as a stool) which then regrows the following spring. This style of harvesting is known as coppicing and has been used for centuries. Coppicing prolongs the life of willow rods by slowing down their maturation, and helps create a diverse habitat for local wildlife.
After cutting, it is critical to prevent the willow rods from drying out. They should be stored with their butt ends (thick ends) in water.
Our handy video on unwrapping and storing living willow covers everything you need to do to store your willow properly.
Choosing the right site for your living willow structure
There are several important factors to bear in mind when choosing a site for your structure.
1. Water and sunlight
Willow roots will naturally tend to seek out any source of water, so they must be planted well away from drainage systems. Although willow can tolerate some shade, it will not grow well in deep shade and will eventually die back. Make sure your chosen site gets lots of sunlight.
2. Soil
Willow is very adaptable to different soil types, but most varieties prefer moist conditions. Planting willow is also much easier in soft ground. It’s important to remember that willow will not tolerate conditions that leave it permanently waterlogged or too dry – a happy middle ground is best.
3. Weed prevention
It is important to stop all grass and weed growth around your newly planted structure. Weed matting (included in our DIY living willow fedge kit) is ideal for this. Cardboard or bark chippings also work well.
Planting your willow
Willow rods can be planted from late autumn through to early spring. However, it is best to plant them as soon as possible, so that roots can form before the rods start sending out shoots. Always remember to plant the butt end (the thicker end with the buds pointing upwards) of the rod into the ground.
Short cuttings should be planted at least 20cm deep, leaving several buds above ground level for new growth. Longer rods should be planted 30 to 45cm deep, depending on thickness. Generally, the drier the ground, the deeper the rod should be planted.
Weaving techniques for creating living willow structures
It’s important to be gentle with your willow when weaving and tying it to avoid any damage. If you kink, split, or spoil the rod in any way, the rod will die off from that point onwards. Use a flexible twine to tie in joints to allow the willow to grow – string, cable ties or wire will inhibit growth and damage the rod.
Weaving can also be used to strengthen a living willow structure, and to fill in open parts of it for decoration or shelter. There are no hard and fast rules about weaving techniques – the simplest method is the free weave, where the rods are woven in wherever they fit best. Below are other good weaving techniques for living willow structures.
1. Lattice weave
Lattice weave is the best regular weave for living willow structures. If you plant the butt ends of your willow rod at an angle, growth is more likely to occur along the full length of the rod (on willow rods planted upright, stems tend to sprout from the top).
The open nature of this weave leaves space for new growth to be woven in. For extra strength, the crossover points can also be tied together using flexible twine.
2. Pairing weave
Pairing weave is a strong weaving technique. It uses two weavers, which twist over each other every time they pass an upright. Pairing is a useful weaving method for holding upright willow rods in position.
3. Three rod wale
The three rod wale technique is another very strong weave, used to stabilise weaving and add strength. Three rods, each worked individually, pass in front of two uprights and behind one. Three rod wale is particularly useful for large structures, as it holds uprights in place at the base or part way up the weaving.
Joining living willow structures
You can sometimes rely on the tension in your weave to keep the shape of your structure, but more often than not you will be tying the rods together where they cross each other. This will provide more strength to the willow structure.
Natural willow ties are an excellent choice for joining willow rods. Fresh cut green willow is best for creating willow ties, as it very flexible (and does not require soaking). We recommend buying green willow in 3ft lengths, and following our useful guide on how to make natural willow ties.
Avoid string, cable ties, or wire, as these will inhibit growth and damage the rod. Alternatively, our Flexi-Ties are another great option – they stretch as your willow plant grows.
Strong and non-slip, Flexi-Ties hold a knot well and are ideal for plants. To make the job easier, cut lots of short lengths before you start work. You’ll need to wrap the tie around each join several times and tie it with a reef knot.
As the willow grows and thickens, the ties will tend to cut into the willow stem – so keep an eye on them and re-tie the joins if necessary. Sometimes, two willow rods bound firmly together will graft or grow together. This helps to create a very stable structure and, eventually, the ties can be removed.
Strengthening your living willow structure
You may want to add additional thicker willow rods as cross-member supports to your living willow structure. Additional rods can also add tension and maintain spacing as the structure establishes.
These cross-member support rods are temporary, as they will die back and rot after a couple of years. But before that happens, they will have helped the structure establish and can be replaced with new growth tied in over the years.
Pruning and aftercare of your living willow structure
Once your living willow structure is finished, simply sit back and watch it grow. As shoots sprout, this new growth can be woven into the structure to fill gaps. Your willow will need feeding during the growing season with an all-round feed, such as tomato feed or bone meal.
Some of the new growth will need to be pruned. This is best done with a pair of secateurs in late autumn when the leaves have dropped. Regular pruning will help to promote new growth lower down the rods. You can use your pruned willow offcuts for new projects in the future, so make sure you keep them.
Living willow projects
The only limit to living willow is your imagination. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are a few tried and true favourite living willow structures.
1. Living willow domes
Making a dome out of willow is quick and easy. They make great playhouses or picnic areas, and tunnels can also be added at a later date. The simplicity of creating living willow domes makes it a great project for schoolchildren.
2. Living willow tunnels
A living willow tunnel is another good project for a school playground, or if you have sufficient space to enclose a footpath. They are very easy to construct and can be made as high or long as required. When the growth starts to sprout, willow tunnels become cool, shady spaces in which to shelter from the sun.
3. Living willow fencing (also known as ‘fedges’)
Willow fences are easy to construct, and can be used to create beautiful, natural-looking borders around any outside space. A living willow fence also makes an effective windbreak. Unlike solid fencing, which creates turbulence and plant damage on the leeward side, a woven fence naturally slows the wind down as it passes through. You can also create gaps or ‘windows’ in living willow fencing, which are great for bird-watching.
Watch our video on weaving in a living willow fedge, filmed approximately two years after the fedge was planted, for an idea of how your living willow fence could look.
4. Living willow arbours and bowers
A living willow arbour or bower provides a pleasant, shady place to sit in summer. They can look especially striking when woven with climbing plants. For added strength, plant diagonal weavers in the same way you would in a tunnel or fence. Leave the sides open or, alternatively, weave in additional willow rods for colour variation.
5. Living willow sculptures
Many incredibly talented weavers use our willow to create amazing willow sculptures. The size and scale varies enormously, from willow hearts to a towering willow unicorn. Before starting your project, explore our gallery for inspiration – you’ll be amazed by the jaw-dropping pieces of willow art that are out there.
We also have lots of interesting videos to check out for living willow project inspiration on our YouTube channel, like creating a living harlequin tree or a living willow cloud screen. Whatever your willow project is, have fun with it, be creative – and don’t be afraid to try out new ideas.
Interested in starting a living willow project?
If you’re interested in getting stuck into your own project, but don’t really know where to start, why not sign up for our living willow weaving course? Our skilled weaver will guide you through the entire process of making a living willow structure from start to finish.
Get in touch with the Musgrove Willows team if you have any questions about living willow, our weaving courses, or any of our other products.
