Which Willow is best for weaving?

There are three willow tree species commonly grown as basket willow trees:

Salix triandra, also known as almond willow or almond-leaved willow.
Salix viminalis, often known as common willow.
Salix purpurea, a popular willow known by a number of alternate names, including purple osier willow and blue arctic willow.

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Accordingly, can you use weeping willow for weaving?

No. Many of the varieties are used across the world for weaving but the most common used for basketry and sculptures are Salix purpurea, Salix viminalis and Salix triandra.

Additionally, how long soak willow branches? The rule of thumb is you need to soak your willow a day per foot. A3 ft bundle will be in the water, fully submerged, for 3 days, a 5 ft bundle for 5 days etc. Any barrel, bath, stream, pond will do as long as the willow is fully submerged in the water. The soaking times will vary by varieties and time of year.

In this way, how do you harvest willow for weaving?

Always use clean, sharp pruning shears when harvesting willow rods. Cut the rod at the base of each rod, without cutting into the hard willow stool. Gather the willow rods and bundle them with the cut end together. Allow willow rods to dry before weaving them into a basket.

Can you over soak Willow?

If you are in a hurry you could try soaking in hot water to shorten the soaking time. You could soak the willow in a soaking bag, in the bath or in an outdoor pond or pool. You will have to weigh down the willow to keep it submerged.

Soaking times for buff willow.

Length	Soaking Time
7ft	2-2½ hrs
8ft	3 hrs
9ft	3½ hrs

36 Related Question Answers Found

Which Willow is used in basket weaving?

There are three willow tree species commonly grown as basket willow trees: Salix triandra, also known as almond willow or almond-leaved willow. Salix viminalis, often known as common willow. Salix purpurea, a popular willow known by a number of alternate names, including purple osier willow and blue arctic willow.

How long does Willow take to dry?

Willow firewood has a high moisture content. In fact, the wood contains so much moisture it will rot before it dries out if you don't split it. You should allow willow to season at least one year before using it.

How long do willow sculptures last?

about 3 - 5 years

What do you use for basket weaving?

There are many types of natural fibers that can be used to weave a basket, like various kinds of tree bark. For example, grasses, bamboo, vines, oak, willow, reeds, and honeysuckle are all commonly used materials for weaving.

What plants can you weave with?

Some commonly used plants for weavers are most leaves from bulb plants e.g. iris, watsonia, daffodils, Aunt Eliza. , red hot pokers, arum lily, NZ flax, Cordyline, hops. Climbers such as passionfruit, Honeysuckle & jasmine, Kangaroo paw, banana stems, bulrush.

How long does it take to weave a basket?

Often, the collection of the raw materials for weaving takes as long as it actually takes to weave a basket. A small basket may take a day to weave whilst some of the larger baskets may take several weeks and very large baskets may take a few months.

When should I take willow cuttings?

You can propagate willows by cutting branches any time of the year. Spring may be the best season because of the ample rain and the new tree will have the entire summer to become established before winter. Take a cutting that is about 10-inches long and the diameter of a pencil. Next place the cutting in water.

How do you protect a willow sculpture?

Any type of willow that you weave / bind or otherwise assemble together in its pliable (recently cut) state can be left to dry under cover, and when fully dry it can then be protected with a 50/50 ratio mix of boiled linseed oil and turpentine either sprayed or brushed on.

How much does Willow make a basket?

Use a hand pruner to cut 8 pieces of willow of equal lengths. The size of your base willow pieces will determine the circumference of your basket's bottom. For a small basket, cut each length to 30 centimeter (11.8 in). For a medium basket, cut each length to 60 centimeter (23.6 in).

How do you make a living willow sculpture?

Cut willow “posts” that are 1- to 2-inch diameter by 4 feet in length.
Use a stake to measure out radius/diameter.
Add the willow posts.
Encourage the willows to grow.
Guide the branches into the shape of a dome as they grow.
Weave side branches horizontally to fill out the shape of the dome.

How fast does willow grow?

Growth Rate. The weeping willow is a rapidly growing tree, which means it is capable of adding 24 inches or more to its height in a single growing season. It grows to a maximum height of 30 to 50 feet with an equal spread, giving it a rounded shape, and can reach full growth in as soon as 15 years.

How do you cut a willow?

Here are the steps in shaping a willow tree:

Remove any damaged or broken branches.
Choose a tall, upright stem at the top of the tree as a central leader, and remove competing stems.
Remove branches that grow up instead of out.
Remove crowded branches.

How do you dry willow branches?

Soak dry willow branches in warm water for about 20 minutes if you're unhappy with their shape. While they're still wet, carefully adjust the bends and curves, and then let the branches dry in place.

What is buff Willow?

Buff willow is natural barked willow that has been processed by boiling in water for approximately 8 to 9 hours. The boiling process softens the bark to ease its removal and also changes the colour of the willow rod underneath to a warm buff or toffee colour.

What is basket Reed made of?

Basket reed is produced from the core of this thorny palm (mostly genera Calamus, Daemonorops or Plectomia) which grows like a vine into the forest canopy. Rattan for commercial use is harvested mostly in the jungles of South East Asia and Indonesia.

How do you plant a willow wand?

A willow hedge will also provide a natural boundary for your garden.

Add bulky compost to the area of soil you plan to plant your willow hedge.
Insert the wands into the soil to a depth of 15cm (6in) and firm into the soil.
Plant the wands at a distance of 60cm (24in) apart.

How much Reed do I need for a basket?

For example: 1/2" flat reed has approximately 185 feet per one pound coil. The way to approximate how much you need for a particular basket is to take the number of stakes times the length and divide by 12 to get the number of feet needed.