How to build a living willow fence

18 April 2024

A living willow fence – also known as a fedge (something in-between a fence and hedge) – can be used to create boundaries around outdoor areas. Building a living willow fence takes some planning and perseverance but, at the end of the process, you will be left with a beautiful, living willow fence that frames your outdoor space and grows with it.

Read on for our top tips on how to build a DIY living willow fence.

1. Measure your fence site and order your willow fencing

The best time to start work on a living willow fence is in winter or early spring – which is also the time of year when willow farmers like us harvest our willow stems.

You should choose the site you will build your DIY living willow fence on carefully. Select an area that gets plenty of sunlight and ensure your fence boundary is at least 10 metres away from any drains or walls.

Use two pegs and some string to measure out the straight line(s) your living willow fence will follow. Once you have measured out your area, you can order the amount of willow fencing you need. Our Living Willow Fedge Kits are available in a variety of different lengths and come with everything you need to plant your living willow fence. We also supply our fedge kits with willow only.

Your willow fence will need to be planted quickly once it arrives, but the main stems need to be left in water for at least 24 hours before planting (the tying willow rods do not). Make a sloping cut at the thick end of the main stems, and place them upright in around 10cm of water. Store the rods in a dark, cool area.

2. Prepare your fence site

Once you’ve chosen your area, measured it out, and ordered your living willow fencing, the next step is to prepare your fence site.

• Clear any grass and plants away from the area you are going to plant your fence in. Use a spade to clear a 30cm wide strip along the line where your willow will be planted. Lay some compost and loosen the soil about 25cm deep.
• Although willow is a hardy plant that will grow in most soils, using moisture-retentive soil will help your fence to grow quickly.
• Our DIY willow fence kits also come with a weed mat to be laid on top of the soil. This allows water and nutrients to soak through, but minimises the growth of weeds. Cut the weed mat to match the width of your cleared area and peg it at regular intervals.

3. Plant your living willow fence

Now the fun begins! It’s time to plant your living willow fence.

1. Prune off the bottom 10cm of your willow stems before planting them.
2. Use a stick, screwdriver, or dowel rod to make holes in your soil, spaced around 15cm apart.
3. Use your thickest, longest willow stems as the main rods. Set these into the ground upright every 30cm, and push each rod at least 15cm deep into the ground. (You should save the four thickest rods to double up at either end of your willow fence, maximising its strength.)
4. The remainder of your willow rods are the lattice rods. Insert these into the holes in-between your main rods. Set the rods at a 45 degree angle and push each rod at least 15cm deep.
5. Working from the ground upwards, weave your lattice rods a layer at a time in a diamond pattern (each rod set at 45 degrees). Weave one rod in front and one rod behind, then opposite on the row above.
6. Plant your remaining rods in between the first rods at the same 45 degree angle, but facing in the opposite direction, creating a diamond lattice pattern.
7. Some of your stems will naturally graft together where they cross each other. Tie some of the other joints together to increase the strength of your fence. Our living willow fedge kits come with Flexi-Ties and natural willow ties. These will naturally rot and drop off your fence after a few years – by then, the willow should have grafted together.
8. Once your stems are planted, add a layer of mulch around them. This will help retain moisture and further keep down weeds.
9. Finish off the top of your fence by cutting the ends of the willow off on the diagonal. You could also weave your lattice rods to form a horizontal top to your fedge, or create arches.

Our living willow fence kits come with full, detailed assembly instructions, so you’re never left wondering which step comes next.

4. Maintain your living willow fence

Once you’ve planted your living willow fence, it’s important to take care of it.

• You should water your fence regularly, focusing on it particularly during dry weather spells.
• Feed your living willow fence twice a year with tomato feed or bone meal.
• You will find that new shoots will sprout from the rods. If cut back, these shoots will help to strengthen your willow fence and thicken its structure.
• Willow can grow as much as two metres every year, so you will need to trim your fence to keep it in shape and prevent the extra weight causing your structure to collapse. Pruning can be done at any time of the year, but can be easier when the leaves have fallen in autumn or early winter.
• You can also train your living willow fence in the winter, when willow shoots become pliable. Weave the new shoots to fill in any gaps in your willow fence and add strength to its overall structure.

Musgrove Willows supply living willow structures of all shapes and sizes

Made using willow grown on our family farm on the stunning Somerset levels, we grow the best willow for building a living willow fence – but it doesn’t stop there. We supply living willow structures to transform any outside space.

Using our willow, we supply everything from living willow tunnels and arches kits, ideal for enclosing footpaths, to our living willow dome and arbour kits, perfect for creating a shady, relaxing outdoor area.

For more information on our living willow fencing or any of our other willow products, contact the Musgrove Willows team today.