Bedding, Compost & Mulch

As a novel concept, woodchip for animal bedding has received considerable interest since straw prices have increased considerably (depending on your location!) in recent years. Woodchip from sustainable forest management, logging residues or coppice is an alternative to straw. ADAS are currently testing a range of different types of chip assessing its suitability for animal health, ease of application and economics. Once used, the woodchip can be composted to produce a high quality growing medium or mulch for horticultural use.

Woodchip has excellent mulch properties, helping to regulate soil moisture and temperature and efficiently suppressing weed growth. Traditionally, many different varieties of wood have been used and willow is equally effective.

Cuttings

Demand for willow cuttings for both bio-energy and non-energy markets is high and can be lucrative provided varieties are not subject to breeders rights.

Willow Sculptures

In recent years the use of willow in the garden has increased dramatically. Living willow is used for gazebos, sculptures and living screens and dry willow is used for supports for other plants such as sweet peas. Fast growing biomass willow varieties are ideal for this work and the market is lucrative, a small sculpture requiring at least £100 worth of willow. In a similar style to garden sculptures, willow domes (picture courtesy of Beryl Smith) make ideal wildlife hides and otter holts blending into the scenery and providing excellent cover.

A wide range of differently coloured willows are available for basketry and willow crafts. Living and treated willows can be both used, a bundle of 50 Rods costing approximately £15.

For living willow applications, green branches are cut from willow during the dormant season and stored at around 4oC and in the dark until the following spring. These can then be used to make living fedges, tunnels, arches, sculptures, domes or even otter holts.

Basketry and Crafts

In the UK, remnants of willow baskets have been found dating from the Glastonbury Lake Village of 100BC. However, written records do not appear until 1381and willows were not bred for crafts until the 1800’s. Today, the largest concentration of basketry willow growers in the UK can be found in Somerset. In addition to traditional “fine” baskets, techniques have been used to produce a range of products including eel & lobster traps, coracles and hampers. Willow was also used for cricket bats, animal fodder and asprin.

To make baskets, hurdles and coffins, dried willow is needed. Rods cut from the willow are left in the field to dry upright for three months. These are then known as browns and can be stripped to produce the buff willow traditionally used for basketry (pictures courtesy of Pippa Scott).

Some Useful Jargon

Bolt or Bundle = the measurement willow comes in when it is bought. Traditionally the circumference at the bottom is approximately was 3’1’’ (94cm).

Brown willow = dried willow with the bark left on.

Buff = brown willow that has been boiled and stripped to a chestnut colour.
Green willow = cut material is not dried but stored to remain green and suitable for living sculptures.

Steamed = willow rods are steamed, causing the bark to turn black

White willow = The bark is stripped naturally without boiling so that the pale inner wood is exposed.

Willow Water

This is traditionally made to aid in the rooting of cuttings, any variety of willow can be used. Take 3-4 young green branches, cut into inch length pieces and mash with a hammer. Drop into 1 gallon of boiling water, remove from heat and stir occasionally (do not boil the willow). Once cooled the water can be used to soak cuttings over night prior to planting and be poured onto newly planted trees!

The benefits of salicin in willow bark has also been observed for animals health and there is a willow water drink for human consumption also available!

Willows in Powys

Willows in Powys project was established in 2002 by GLASU ( European Leader+ Funding) and Cardiff University to investigate the potential of growing a wide range of willow varieties, both basketry and ornamental, in upland Powys. Over 80 varieties of willow were planted and monitored for establishment success and initial growth rates. Running in parallel with the growing trials, the project promoted willow for crafts in Wales through a series of successful willow training courses (covering growing, managing and harvesting aspects and also courses on willow basketry, living sculptures, Chrsitmas decorations and lanterns). Continuing with the success of this first project, the second stage, which we are currently half way through is monitoring the yields and growth rates of the willows and their suitability for craft and basketry purposes. It is also investigating the use of organic techniques for willow production including the use of mulch materials and cover crops to replace or limit herbicide applications. Again there is a parallel part to this project investigating potential markets, providing advanced training for willow makers and promoting “Willows in Powys” through events and open days. For further information on this project of for willow training course please contact Lee Price from GLASU on the contacts page.