Living willow

Fleetwoodmac

Anyone know if there are suppliers in Ireland selling living willow kits for wigwams/ domes etc? Thanks,

Coll1e

I'm not sure what you mean by kits. I've done a number of willow domes, tunnels and shelters in the past couple of weeks. There's not a lot to it really unless you're going for something elaborate. You'll probably find videos on youtube that'll get you started.
You just need some bundles of long, straight willow and a ball of twine. If you know anywhere that has a willow fence, hedge or dome that needs pruning just ask if you can prune it and take away what you need.

Fleetwoodmac

Thanks for reply. Getting the kit is the lazy option, I suppose. Don't know anywhere that has living willow to get cuttings from. Wasnt thinking of anything elaborate, we built a sunflower house last year as an alternative to a playhouse and smallies loved it ( birds too.. Kept them fed for ages) so wanted to expand on that and build 6ft dome with little entrance tunnel. Do you put kits together as a service? Thanks

KAGY

Fleetwoodmac wrote: »

Thanks for reply. Getting the kit is the lazy option, I suppose. Don't know anywhere that has living willow to get cuttings from. Wasnt thinking of anything elaborate, we built a sunflower house last year as an alternative to a playhouse and smallies loved it ( birds too.. Kept them fed for ages) so wanted to expand on that and build 6ft dome with little entrance tunnel. Do you put kits together as a service? Thanks

Not sure if you'd get a kit, you'd need to plant the sticks soon after they're cut. you'd need to look for some where that is growing willow for basket or biofuel, 'fraid I can't help there. If you are willing to wait any willow twig will grow to about 4m in 5 years. I've had about 75% success rate just ramming finger thick twigs into the ground with no prep or aftercare.
And apparently they can attract wasps.

Fleetwoodmac

Thanks kAGY,will check and see if anyone delivers willow minus the kits. Glad to hear it grows quick though the bee attraction makes me wonder if a willow play den is a good idea? Want to create several dens and cubbies around the garden for kids but hate those wooden playhouses. Maybe bamboo? Thanks again

Qwerty?

From the little research I have done, Salix Viminalis is one of the best all rounder's for Willow structures. Future Forests do them. I got a few off them last year.

Caracol

I created the start of a willow tunnel recently using:
Long Salix Viminalis as upright rods
fairly long Salix Purpureas as diagonals
some Salix erythroflexuosa to provide infill and colour.

I got the Salix viminalis and Salix Purpureas bareroot from Future forests last year.

Willow is fairly easy to propogate from cuttings so I plan to add to the tunnel using cuttings from the trees I got originally.

Fleetwoodmac

Qwerty, I remember seeing shelters built by future forests, forgot to see if they sell it, will check with them, though going on their site makes me want to buy more than I'd planned!
Carocal, I will follow your recipe - sounds good, never thought of providing colour too. Thanks,
While we Wait, we are going to plant runner bean and sweet pea tippees.. Will let you know how we get on.