Brown (dry) Black Maul is a good choice. It is easy to soak and work with. Buff willow is another good option.
A maintained living willow structure does not have the root structure of a mature willow tree. It is safe to grow a tepee, arbour, tunnel or fedge close to an outbuilding.
The main considerations are adequate sunlight, keeping the area weed/grass free and regular watering. Do not plant a living willow structure close to a wall or drain.
It is worth gently weaving in the growing rods. This helps to prevent the structure from becoming top heavy. Weaving in new growth also provides additional cover. As the structure matures, new growth can be trimmed.
While our lantern willow rods can be used to create indoor sculptures as well as lanterns, the rods are NOT suitable for basketry.
Living willow structures can be trimmed at any time of year. It can be easier to see what you are doing after the leaves drop in late autumn/early winter.
February and March are usually the best months for planting. Willow should not ‘sit’ in cold ground. Living willow should be planted by early to mid April.
Living willow kits are seasonal. They are usually available from early January to late March.
Yes. Our artist charcoal is usually available in a range of sizes; from thin (3-4 mm thick) to jumbo (20+ mm thick).
The willow artist charcoal has been made and graded on our Somerset farm – all with willow grown in our fields. The Musgrove family has been burning charcoal for many decades.
Non-living willow sculptures benefit from an annual treatment of boiled linseed oil and turpentine. This should be a 50/50 mix and can be applied by brush or with a spray bottle.
This will depend on the size and quantity of willow that needs to be soaked. All our soaking bags are heavy duty. The following width soaking bags are usually available;
6″ Soaking Bag
This is 2m long bag and the smallest size bag stocked. It is ideal for beginners and those who only need to soak a small handful of willow (around 250 grams). Rods up to 5ft in length can be accommodated in this bag.
10″ Soaking Bag
This bag is 2m long and can accommodate up to 2kg of 5ft willow.
10″ Large Soaking Bag
This is 2.5m long and each bag can accommodate 3 – 4kg of willow of up to 7ft in length.
12″ Medium Soaking Bag
This soaking bag is 2m in length. Each bag can accommodate up to 4kg of 5ft willow.
12″ Large Soaking Bag
The largest soaking bag stocked. This is 2.5m long and each bag can accommodate 5 – 6kg of willow of up to 7ft in length.
No. When hand sorting the willow a foot marker is used to determine the length of the rods. A bundle of 6ft willow will contain rods of between 5ft and 6ft in length. A bundle of 5ft willow will contain rods of between 4ft and 5ft and so on.
Our willow is grown on the Somerset Levels – home to a wide variety of wildlife and changeable weather. Willow is grown here in an environmentally friendly way, so occasionally rods will get nibbled by insects or bashed by wind and hail.
The boiling process softens the bark and allows the tannins to be released from the willow. This changes the colour of the willow rods and allows the bark to be stripped. Years ago, the stripping was done by hand. Now, specialist machinery makes this task a great deal easier. Green or brown willow is boiled to produce buff willow.
This is the traditional way to sell willow. Measuring and grading willow is all done by hand here. Unsorted bundles are placed in a barrel sunk into the floor and rods are then pulled out from the longest to the shortest. A machine is yet to be invented that can improve on this method!
Green, brown or steamed willow are ideal choices as these all still have their bark on (giving protection against the elements). Non-living willow outdoor sculptures and fencing should be treated annually with a 50/50 mix of boiled linseed oil and turpentine.
Buff willow is perfect for these projects. (Musgrove Willows also sell lantern willow and DIY lantern kits.) Tissue paper and masking tape should stick easily to smooth, buff willow rods. A buff rod is lightweight, flexible and strong, so fairly large-scale structures and sculptures can be constructed with it.
A traditional Somerset bundle measures 1ft in diameter and 3ft 1″ to 3ft 2″ in circumference around the butt (bottom) end.
Willow is sold by weight, so the type and variety will determine how many rods are in a bundle. E.g. A green willow rod contains more moisture than a brown one, so it will be heavier and there will be fewer rods in a bundle.
No. As a rule of thumb, the longer the rod, the thicker it will be. The butt end (at the bottom) is the thickest part of the rod. The variety of willow also plays a part in the thickness of the rod. As a very rough guide, the middle of a 6ft rod will be around the same thickness as a pencil.
High quality green willow is freshly cut in winter and ‘pitted‘ (left to stand in water until the sap rises in the spring). The willow is then stripped of its bark (without boiling) to leave a white colour rod. The willow is dried the same day it is stripped and stored in the dark to prevent yellowing. White willow is not paper white – it’s a little cream in colour.
Brown (dried) willow which has been placed in a boiler for a few hours to colour the bark a chocolate/black. The willow is then removed from the boiler and dried. Steamed willow is often used for adding colour and texture to baskets. It can also be incorporated into outdoor sculptures and hurdles. Steamed willow needs to be soaked to make the rods pliable.
Buff willow (also known as stripped willow) is a golden / orangey colour. To achieve this finish, willow is boiled for several hours and then stripped of its bark and dried. Buff willow is often used in basketry and other craft work. It requires soaking before use.
Any variety of willow that is dried with the bark on. Brown willow is suitable for outdoor sculpture work, basketry and hurdles as the bark provides protection from the elements.
This is the stage between green (fresh cut) and brown (dry) willow. Semi-dry willow may require soaking.
Any variety of willow that is freshly cut and flexible. Green willow can stay flexible for up to 6 weeks.
December to early April. For more information, please read our blog on planting living willow cuttings.
Living willow is ready for planting. Depending on the variety, it can be used to make various outdoor structures and/or help to prevent soil erosion. Musgrove Willows also stock a range of DIY living willow kits.
