Is there a difference between wicker and willow?

11 November 2024

The words wicker and willow are often used interchangeably – willow baskets, wicker furniture, willow fencing, and so on. But what exactly is the difference between wicker and willow? Or is there a difference at all?

What is wicker?

Wicker is a generic term used to describe the technique of plaiting, twisting or folding natural materials – such as willow – to make functional or sculptural items such as furniture, fencing, and baskets. The word wicker is also often used as a descriptor to classify these products (e.g. wicker baskets, wicker furniture).

In essence, wicker and willow can be one and the same thing.

When searching for wicker products on a worldwide scale, you may find some that are woven with materials such as bamboo, hyacinth reeds, or rattan. Whereas here in England, willow has been the go-to material described as wicker as for many years.

What makes our willow so good for plaiting and weaving?

Just as willow can vary hugely in quality, so can wicker; so it’s best to purchase willow products from trusted willow growers and suppliers – like us.

Willow has been the go-to wicker material for many years for a number of reasons. Willow is very pliant, making it versatile to work with to create all sorts of incredibly unique wicker products. Wicker products are known for their durability and strength – and this is due in large part to the strength of the willow from which they are woven.

Willow also has a natural ability to retain moisture. This makes it easier to weave willow into a variety of intricate shapes. When the willow dries, the woven shapes will retain their strength.

Is willow a sustainable crop?

Willow is known for being a very sustainable crop. It is fast-growing and absorbs carbon as it grows. A willow cutting takes around three years to establish itself – but once it is established, it can be harvested every year for many decades to come.

At Musgrove Willows, we practice a carbon neutral policy on our family farm in rural Somerset. We use traditional, environmentally conscious willow growing methods (e.g. harvesting rainwater). When it comes to harvest season, no fossil fuels are used to boil or steam our willow. Any willow offcuts we acquire are turned into keepsakes or high quality art charcoal – or simply burned as fuel.

Musgrove can help with all your willow needs

We hold stock of beautiful willow products – from living willow sculptures to handwoven garden edging – made from willow grown right here at our Somerset farm.

Thinking of starting your own willow project? We grow all sorts of different varieties of willow, perfect for creating beautiful crafts. And if you’re interested in working with willow but not quite sure where to start, why not sign up for one of our willow weaving courses? You’ll spend the day at our farm and be taken through a willow project step-by-step by a qualified tutor – and even enjoy a tasty lunch too.

If you have any questions about our courses or products, please just get in touch – we’d love to hear from you.