How to make a living willow tunnel
5 December 2024
Providing shade and natural textures, a living willow tunnel is a fantastic addition to any outdoor space. Building a living willow structure is a very satisfying project. Read on to find out everything you need to know about how to successfully plant and maintain a living willow tunnel.
Equipment and materials needed
To make a living willow tunnel, start by ensuring you have all the equipment and materials you will need. Our DIY Living Willow Tunnel Kit contains everything you need to create a tunnel of various different lengths; the kit is usually available to purchase between January and April. We also stock the kit with willow only.
To create the tunnel, you will need:
- Main rods
- Banding rods
- Lattice rods
- Tying rods (alternatively use flexi-ties)
- Weed suppressant matting
- Pegs for matting
IMPORTANT NOTE: The length of your tunnel will dictate the number of living willow rods you need. The main rods need to be planted every 30cm on each side. Banding rods are woven between the main rods while lattice rods are planted in between. The main rods supplied in our DIY kits are usually 10-15 feet long.
Other useful materials and equipment you will need to have:
- Spade
- Secateurs
- Scissors / knife
- Tape measure
- String
- Compost / mulch (optional)
1. Getting started
Depending on the weather, living willow should usually be planted in February, March, or April. Willow does not like to sit in cold earth.
To keep the willow rods alive ready for planting, do not leave them in their plastic wrapping. Unwrap them as soon as they arrive, make a sloping cut at the thick end of the main and lattice rods, and place them upright in around 10cm of water. Ideally, these rods need to be in water for at least 24 hours before planting out.
The banding and tying rods do not need a drink.
1. Mark out the base of your tunnel
First off, you need to mark out the base of your tunnel. It’s important to position your tunnel in an area that gets plenty of sunlight, and is well away from drains and walls. The length of your tunnel is up to you.
Use two pegs and some string to make a straight line. Repeat this for the other side of the tunnel, leaving a space of around 1 metre between each side for a walkway through the middle.
2. Remove the turf
If the tunnel is going on a lawn, we recommend removing the turf. Use a spade to clear a 30cm wide strip along the lines you have just marked out for your tunnel sides. Take care when removing the turf, as you may wish to replace it when the tunnel is finished.
Leave the doorway at each end intact. Compost or mulch can be added to the cleared area.
3. Lay your weed suppressant matting
Next, cut your weed suppressant matting to the width of your cleared area and peg it at regular intervals. If you’ve chosen to leave your turf in place, simply peg the weed suppressant matting on top of the grass.
2. Creating your living willow tunnel
Starting at one end, push a main rod through the weed suppressant matting. You don’t want to damage your willow rods so, if the ground is hard, make a hole with a stick or metal pole.
Plant a main rod every 30cm. The rods need to be planted at least 15cm deep – this is easier to do if the turf has been removed. Repeat this process for the other side of your tunnel.
TOP TIPS:
- At each end of the tunnel, use the stoutest willow rods and double them up. This will give your tunnel additional strength.
- If you have an old hose pipe, you can cut off 8-inch sections and thread them onto the base of each willow rod as you plant them. This will help protect your willow from rabbits and accidental trimming when mowing the lawn.
Next, take an opposite pair of main rods and bend them towards one another to meet in the centre. Tie your rods at the required height with a tying rod or flexi tie – an extra pair of hands comes in useful for this part. Ensure the rods significantly overlap as this should prevent them from springing apart.
3. Using the banding rods
The rods used for banding are much thinner than the main rods. Take two banding rods and, starting at one end, weave them between the main rods – overlapping where necessary. The banding rods should cross over one another every time they pass a main rod.
Repeat this weave higher up on the main rods of your tunnel. This gives strength to the structure and will help the tunnel to maintain its shape during the first year of growth. After the first year, the weave can be removed or left to decompose naturally.
4. Using the lattice rods
If you haven’t already done so, make a sloping cut on each lattice rod. Lattice rods should be thicker than the banding rods, but thinner than the main rods.
Next, push two of the lattice rods into the ground half way between the main rods and through the weed suppressant membrane. Be sure to push each lattice rod at least 15cm into the ground at a 45 degree angle, to create the lattice pattern. The woven banding rods can sit in front or behind the lattice rods.
Make sure to handle these rods with care – if you kink or break a rod it will probably die.
Each lattice rod should climb up the structure, so that the rod reaches the point where the main rod starts to curve.
Use tying willow or a flexi tie to secure the lattice rods to the main rods. When working by the open ends, remember to go back on yourself with the weave.
If you took the turf up to plant your willow tunnel, it can now be replaced. Your living willow tunnel is planted! The lattice rods will grow and provide coverage. All that remains now is to maintain it and watch it grow.
5. Maintaining your living willow tunnel
There are several things you need to keep on top of to maintain your living willow tunnel as it grows:
- Water your willow regularly, especially during the first 3 months of growth.
- Feed your willow twice a year with an all-round feed, such as tomato feed or bone meal.
- Weave new growth into the structure to maintain its shape and density.
- Vertical growth at the top of the tunnel should be cut off, as the weight of this may cause the structure to collapse.
- You can prune your willow tunnel at any time of the year. It can be easier when the leaves have fallen in autumn or early winter.
IMPORTANT: Take care when using a strimmer or mower near your living willow tunnel, as damaged willow rods can easily die. As we mentioned under our ‘Top Tips’ section, you can give your willow rods some protection using pieces of old hose pipe.
Musgrove Willows can help you create your living willow project
We stock a seasonal supply of easy to follow Living Willow DIY Kits, made with willow grown right here on our Somerset farm.
If you’re interested in starting a living willow project, but aren’t sure where to begin, why not sign up for one of our living willow weaving courses? We will supply all the materials you need, and our skilled tutor will guide you through making a living willow structure from start to finish.
You can also check out our YouTube channel for more useful videos and guides, including how to create a living willow harlequin tree, and how to make a living willow cloud screen.
If you have any questions about living willow, our weaving courses, or any of our other products, just get in touch with the Musgrove Willows team – we’d love to hear from you.
