Large Living Willow Tunnel Structure Kit

The photo to the right shows a large living willow tunnel structure about 8 weeks after construction. These can be supplied in kit form per metre length. The one shown is about 3m. The tunnel structure kit includes rods, membrane, ties, detailed instructions, pegs, and 9 photos showing various stages of construction.

For these the type of willow we use is Salix Viminalis or Salix Viminalis Tora. Each produces long supple rods which in a single growing season after pollarding can  reach up of to 5m in length. The living tunnel will require periodic pruning and weaving of new growth to retain ideal tunnel shape.

Large Living Willow Fedge Structure Kit

The photo to the left shows a living willow Fedge (Fence/Hedge) structure about 8 weeks after construction. These can be supplied in kit form per metre length. The one shown is about 5m long. The Fedge structure kit includes rods, membrane, ties, detailed instructions, pegs, and 9 photos showing various stages of construction.

The living fedge structure will require periodic pruning and weaving of new growth. Heavy pruning at the top encourages growth at the bottom. The angled rods tend to sprout along entire length while the uprights from the top only.

Living Willow Dome Structure Kit

The photo to the right shows a small living willow Dome structure about 6 weeks after construction. It is 2m diameter and 2m high. Constructed using 73 x 8ft+ Salix Viminalis willow rods.

We offer various sizes of dome kit, and as with other structure and sculpture kit offerings we provide full instructions and photos and various stages along with pegs, membrane ties etc.

A dome typically take 2 people between half and a full day to construct. Small tunnels can be built into entrances, large domes can have seating built inside. Ideal for schools. [A cheaper option is to do a wigwam, wigwams are simpler and use fewer rods]

Small Living Willow Tunnel Structure Kit

The photo to the left shows a small living willow tunnel structure about 5 weeks after construction. These can be supplied in kit form per metre length. The one shown is about 6m. The tunnel structure kit includes rods, membrane, ties, detailed instructions, pegs, and 9 photos showing various stages of construction.

These can be made from various varieties of willow as rods of only about 2m in length are required. These small tunnels are ideal for living willow structure or sculpture together or providing entrance to a dome.

The willow tunnel can be straight, bendy as in the photo of even circular.

Cuttings

The photo to the right shows 170 ten inch cuttings, ten of each of seventeen different varieties.

Willow will grow readily from stem cuttings making propagation very straightforward. Live willow cuttings are available from 1st December to the end of April. They are 10 inches long and vary in thickness depending on the variety chosen. See 'Willow Varieties' section for list of the varieties of cuttings offered along with a brief description. We offer cuttings in single, or bundles of 10/100/1000 for all 17 of the varieties we grow.

Cuttings

The photo to the left (bottom left) shows bundles Salix Viminalis Tora, Salix Viminalis (Common Osier), and Salix Alba Vitellina (Golden Willow) cuttings.

The key to successfully growing willow from cuttings is dealing with weeds. The easiest method being use of membrane to plant the cuttings through, see 'Planting' page on this site. However even without soil preparation or membrane of any sort, willow cuttings will still usually grow very successfully though not quite as vigorously.These varieties are hardy and fast growing. Even in the first season Torah can grow over 2m from cuttings given the right conditions.

Ornamental Willow

Photo to the right shows Salix Candida coppice, showing very distinctive colouring of this plant. Very attractive tree with furry leaves & large yellow catkins. Very thick stems, growing 1.5m per year in sheltered locations, having large “furry” leaves, with large yellow catkins. Salix Candida is from North America, a very ornamental willow which grows into a small shrub up to 2.5m in height. The hairy rods remind of deer antlers. A further feature of this willow are the very large buds.

Ornamental Willow

The photo to the left shows Salix Sachalinensis (Sekka). The rods curve round and can be used fresh or dried in flower arrangements. Catkins appear in February, turning first pink and then golden as they mature. Sekka will grow to around 4m height and makes a lovely feature in a garden. Excellent ornamental shrub. Can grow into huge tropical shrub. Very distinctive shaped leaves not found in any other willows.

Willow Structure / Sculpture Kits

We offer most structure / sculpture in kit form for ease of construction without having much experience in working with willow rods. The photos to the right show a kit for a 2.5m diameter, 2m high willow dome.

A kit comprises: - 

- Sketches and photos of all stages of build.
- Detailed written instructions.
- Appropriate numbers & sizes of Willow rods.
- Weed membrane, woven heavy duty permeable.
- Pegs to hold down membrane.
- String or gardening twine to tie in the willow weave.

Living Willow Dome Structure Construction

The photo to the left shows a small dome just completed using 73 x 8ft Salix Viminalis rods. A dome is ideal for a school and larger ones can have seating inside providing excellent shelter from the sun or wind for classes or play.

Children enjoy helping to build domes and watching them grow and develop.

A cheaper option is to do a wigwam, wigwams are simple to build and use fewer rods.

Living Willow Fedge Structure Construction

The photo to the right shows a Fedge structure just completed using 9ft Salix Viminalis Tora rods. These provide an excellent instant barrier that is both  practical and attractive.

They can be designed and pruned to encourage growth over the full height or just at the top. The exact design in terms of angles and tightness of the lattice can be altered to suite.

It's always a good idea to plant through a water permeable woven membrane. This lets water through when wet, keeps the moisture in when dry, keeps weeds down, and weave expands where holes are made for rods to grow.

Pentandra

Salix Pentandra (Bay Willow) is a large willow shrub or small tree usually growing to 5-7m high but exceptionally known to reach 17m. Salix Pentandra is frequently found by streams and rivers and on wet ground. Bay willow appeals to gardeners because of its attractive foliage and catkins and is said to have fragrance like Bay leaves. Has very distinctive beige coloured stems in the winter.

Curly Willow

Curly Willow / Salix Tortuous (Corkscrew/Contorted) is a fast growing, spreading deciduous tree which can grow up to 10m with narrow tapering bright green leaves. The corkscrew / curly effect in the stems being most evident after leaf fall. Curly willow is more drought tolerant than most willows. Contortion increases with vigour so pollarding enhances it. Curly willow thrives best in moist soil conditions and prefers full sun.

Rods

Bundles of willow 'Rods' are offered for a number of the varieties we grow which lend themselves to producing straight long stems with few side shoots. These are offered in 5, 7, 9, 10 and 12ft lengths, and in bundles of 10, 100, and 1000. Some of the best varieties for producing good rods are Salix Viminalis, Salix Viminalis Tora, and Salix Alba Vitellina (Golden Willow). [Please ask regarding the very long 12ft+ rods as these are not offered by default on the Online shop]

The rods are superb for building 'Living Willow' structures, Fudges, or simple hedges, see 'Living Structures' section on this site for detailed information, examples, and photos.

The photo to the right shows bundles of Salix Viminalis Tora rods. This variety is ideal for living willow structures or sculpture, being able to grow in single season very flexible 12ft+ rods with no side shoots. The ones below show the willow in mid summer whilst growing with leaves still on. Left shot Common Osier, the right one Salix Triandra (Black Maul)