Growing and Processing Willow

Was talking on Bookface about this, thought I might as well put the info up on here

http://website.lineone.net/~luichart.woollens/page13.html

http://www.musgrovewillows.co.uk/faq.php?&dx=1&ob=3&rpn=index

http://www.northumbriabasketrygroup.co.uk/gallery.php?id=263

I'll try to get a pic of an old Willow boiler next time i'm down on the levels

 

I planted some slips of a variety suitable for yurt frames but they've only grown very slowly.

 

A Yurt?

 

I spent some of my youth in a children's home and they taught us basket making (amongst other crafts) and about boiling/steaming willow there. It used to keep us out of trouble and I think they sold the baskets we made. I still have one of those baskets all these years later. They really last.
I'm glad that all these crafts are still being practiced.

 

Quite an industry down here,

http://www.englishwillowbaskets.co.uk/visitor-centre