me too, I have experience in dealing with willow, inheriting 2 when I moved into my new property, virtually impossible to get rid of, they are super fast growers and you have to be very careful where you put them in the garden, in open spaces is fine where they have room to grow, but in ordinary gardens they can be very troublesome! I have one that sprouted up only 4 years ago, it puts on about 8 to 10 feet per year and has a trunk now approx 7 inch thick!
I'm curious about this too. I'm a bit worried that there are no videos or photos of what these live fences and structures look like after many years. They look great when young, but like you said, they're very fast growers and almost impossible to get rid of. I think I'd be very careful about making a living willow structure in a small garden at least.
I was going to say it's like weaving a big basket - then I read your narrative 😁Just done some more cuttings hoping to grow them to a size where I can make a dome & tunnel. Inspiration - a hedge would be good... Withy is such a magical tree, as a child a gypsy friend showed me how to make whistles, catapults, and chew bark to numb pain. Thank you for the inspiration 👍🍃
I just bought two willow bush/trees at the home store on clearance for $5.00 each. I'm going to try this! Thank you for making and sharing. I'm in Minnesota.
This is so awesome to watch. My grandma had a HUGE flower and veggie garden that she maintained herself and always had woven fences or driftwood stacked fences. No nails or anything. I wanted to put a small border by my own garden and have some smaller thinner dried vines to use up and want to attempt this on a smaller scale. Even if it doesn't work I felt like I learned something today so thank you. -Hannah
Love the videos. Can you make a few more of the fence making videos, height, variety, maintenance and biggest challenges? And of course the updates on the state of the fence after a few years. Much Apperciated
This is amazing, exactly the kind of video I was looking for! I purchased a property a little over a year ago that had some fence in need of repair, and I was hoping lumber prices would go down so I could afford to fix it, but they haven't. Wr have LOADS of willow on the property, though!
Absolutley amazing. You inspire me so much. I have learned basicaly everything i know about weaving from you. It really helps my ptsd keeps my mind here in the present. I made my first sale on one of my baskets today. Thank you so much Hanna.. Love and respect from the north coast of California.
Thank you for posting this video, there are so many applications that come to mind. Could you post a short video update of what your fences looks like a year later? ♥
Thank you, I loved this video, tried to weave a dome myself some weeks ago, ended up with a strange looking fence! 😅 You made it look so easy! I have signed up for your online course. Thanks for the warning, I tried the course "sew your own lambskin blanket with prints".. I have many today! I am addicted! 🤣 Familiar scenery with the snow, I have just made a homemade greenhouse for my newly planted rhododendrons, we are expecting a snowstorm tonight, that's life in Norway.
Hi Hannah Years ago on a Permaculture site in Hesketh Bank a couple of use decided toget some 6x6Ft hazel fencing for around the bee area. It was going to cost us £1000 for them being ready made. We came up with an idea to ask a local fence maker to bring us enough material to make our fences and give a days training. This cost us £500. Happy Days.. A couple of weeks later and some saw hands and backs we got it done. But what i am trying to get to is, your living fencing will go on and on and on. Ours has just about had it, so i think our should be the next project. The good thing about it to is as it grows we will be able to make new fences with the old fencing as you trim it is guess? Love your videos where abouts are you with you asking for people to come and help? I am in the UK between Preston and Liverpool.
LOVE this video and the artistry in weaving living willow structures! I also really vibed with the song you used…could anyone provide the title and artist, please?! ❤
What kind of willow do you use. I live in the south USA. I have seen the hybrid willows that grow very fast and may coppice well here. I love the idea of a living fence.
Thank you so much for the video! Very helpful. Can you tell me where you got all of the willow? I am interested in doing this project but not sure where all of the materials would come from.
I'm grateful to have found this video. I love your content, I've subscribed, and want to also mention that the tunes are lovely as well. I'm guessing you used canes from a Weeping Willow? I read through the comments and didn't notice any mention of the type of willow you chose for these projects. If you're able could let us know? Thank you.
That is so beautiful. Do you have a link to a follow up video to see it in summer? Does it grow leaves? I assume you use fresh cuttings so it's living? I weave on a loom but I've always been fascinated by willow since I was a child. Weeping willows mainly. A child's jungle gym.
Danke für dieses Video ,ich werde es für meine Pferdeweide nachbauen in Deutschland an unserer Moorweide ! Kann ich Frischgeschnittene Ruten gleich stecken ? Es ist bis jetzt der Beste Flechtzaun den ich jetzt gesehen habe 🦄🤩
Oh thanks Daniela, yes you can and should use freshly cut willow rods. They need to be alive to be planted and be able to grow. This means cut within a couple of weeks. Best of luck! Love xx
gives me ideas of rather then putting up a water particle cloud net on mountains, yet to weave a living net, the plastic nets have to be maintained, and have a short life span, where as a tall living fence on mountains using natures materials makes more sense.
Inspiring! May I assume you did not coppice these at the same time as the basket collection? Had you planned this ahead and allowed the canes to get thicker for fencing? What type of salix is this? I am definitely doing this. We have the bog and I'm sure we have the right willow. What’s your opinion on red or yellow dogwood for baskets? Any good?
All of the rods are one year growth, so yes cut at the same time as my main willow harvest. It is possible to use 2 year old rods. They are a little harder to weave into a lattice structure though and can be branchy. This variety is Salix Viminalis. It grows fast and easily and is great for structures, not so great for baskets. Dogwood is ok for weavers but not as good as willow. It does not grow as long, is often thicker and less flexible. You can also not really soak it, needs to be used semi-green. To test your willow for weaving suitability wrap a fresh rod around your arm. It should not break. If it does it is for sure not good for weaving. If it does not I would try it out. Happy weaving!
Hanna...I salute your energy, artistry and drive....good for you. I have a question in relation to the finished top braiding, I am in the middle of my first willow fence and pergola, I bought the willow from a willow supplier. I made the mistake of trimming the top of my new willow fence without weaving the necklace band (at the top of the fence), can I amend this by weaving slim rods under the last diamond shape at the top? Many thanks Hanna. Iv subscribed to your channel. Bernie
Hi Bernie, I actually prefer trimming the top as this seems to encourage more growth at the bottom. And yes I would weave a support rod into the top and tie it on. Best of luck!
Ah Hanna, this is so beautiful! I am currently binge watching your videos 🥰 I am planning on doing a community project that will involve planting a willow fence. Could you tell me how many rods you typically use per meter and how long the rods should be? Thank you so much! On another note, I tried accessing your online course page, but unfortunately it’s not working. Have you taken them down or is it a website issue? Much love from Cumbria! 🌱💚🌿
Weaving in the tips is just going over and under in a random fashion, weaving them into one another. There is no set way to do it, just try it out and it will be clear...
Hi Hanna, First : thank you for sharing your knowledge. I’ve watched all of your videos to date and have really enjoyed them. Please keep up the good work 👏 I’ve just got into the wonderful world of willow this year and have a couple of questions. My original plan was to plant a living willow fence, to replace the fence between mine & my neighbours gardens which blew down in the winds that we had here in Wales at Christmas, so after a little bit of research I bought a bundle of 20cm sticks which I pushed into the ground with roughly 30cm spacing. They were a bundle of mixed varieties. Some rooted and got established, others didn’t take at all. Some that grew shoots got eaten by something and then I read that willow roots can be invasive and as such Willow shouldn’t be planted less than around 50ft from any domestic drainage systems or houses because they will seek out any water source to tap into. So, in a panic, I pulled up all of the remaining sticks and put them into containers. (Looking at your videos it looks like I bought and planted the wrong size sticks anyway 🙄) So, now that I’ve found your lovely channel, maybe you could clear a few things up for me? I’d still like to have a living willow fence, because I have ducks, geese & chickens and the boundary that I wanted to grow it on borders their enclosure, but their enclosure is no more than 6 meters away from the house and their pond which is lined with plastic pond liner is around 1/2 a meter from it. Is it safe to plant a living willow fence, or even a living willow trellis, in this area? And, can willow be grown successfully in containers for harvesting, as long as the plants are kept well watered?
Hi Del, Firstly, thanks for your kind words, I am delighted you like the channel. Secondly about the living willow fence. It sounds like you bought willow cuttings. These should be planted and then harvested after one year. This is what I use for making my willow fences, one year old willow rods from a variety I know does well for fences. You planted different varieties together. This often does not work as some are more vigorous and will shade out the smaller ones. As for where to plant it. I agree you should stay well away from a house, boundary, pipes, drainage systems etc. as willow roots are vigorous and will look for water. The plants also grow tall and wide, maybe not something your neighbours want? A dry willow fence can be a solution though. But that needs a lot more willow! Hope this helps.. Love H
Hanna Van Aelst That’s brilliant. Thanks. Now I know I didn’t panic unnecessarily. I’ve got the willow cuttings growing in containers, and anything that survives 12 months I’ll harvest for making things. I can at least make some willow hurdles & whatnot for the birds enclosure, and maybe even an egg basket. I DID manage to get some fresh cut willow free from someone who was cutting their plant back. I’ve roughly graded that and have got it drying in an old gym locker, so I might well get to making my first basket, with your help, of course, a little earlier than next year 😁 I’ve been doing little bits of weaving with privet hedge clippings, fallen palm fronds & ivy from my garden for several years, just really to use my own resources as much as possible because I like to recycle & repurpose as much as possible. I’m also really drawn to all of the old traditional crafts and will have a go at pretty much anything if it means I can use the stuff that I’ve salvaged or have lying around. For me, it’s about moving as far into self sufficiency as I can while living in a semi suburban, semi detached 😆 I think adding willow to my resources is going to be a bit of a game changer for me and I’m very pleased to have found you. Your videos truly are lovely to watch. They’re informative, the music is lovely, your art and poetry is lovely and you’re showing the real life stuff, warts (or bumps) and all. I look forward to the next instalment. Stay safe and best wishes Del
@@del9957 Yes the willow should be fine in containers. Just make sure they don't dry out too much. Sounds very interesting what you are doing and I agree that learning about willow will enhance your skills and resourcefulness no end! I am so happy to hear that you enjoy the videos and that they are helping you learn new skills. Much love
I see the date for this was in February. There is no way I will ever be able to poke a rod into the ground in February where I live. Is this a late fall project or an early spring project? I think for willow that is available locally, I would do best using sandbar willow. I would love to give it a go anyway.
I live in a suburb on and acre and a half. I’m at the top of a wooded ridge where all the deer run through. I planted 15 fruit trees which I have small circular fences around , but the deer still eat branches as they grow past the fences. I’ve been considering putting up a tall wood and metal fence but that’s expensive and unattractive. I thought this might be a nice alternative but I saw from your other video, deer had decimated a field of your saplings. Is there a way to protect the willow fence when you first start it from deer? Or, are you just making a deer salad bar? 🤣 I’d love to hear more about your experience with deer and willow. I see people feeding it to goats and I assume horses would eat it to… can it really be used to fence in critters/live stock without them destroying it? I thought maybe you could encircle your fence with multiple rows of electric fence until it grew for 3-4 years. But, would it be worth the effort or would deer still destroy it even after it was more mature? Deer are so destructive to gardens and young trees. They have laid waste to many hours of hard work and effort. We try to be more self sustainable but deer make it very challenging and expensive.
Thanks! This is willow I grow specifically for projects like these. This one is a viminalis variety. It is flexible and easy to grow. It also grows nice straight thick rods in one season.
How close can you get the spacing on a living willow fence? Would it be possible to space the stems close enough to make a fence for chickens, for example?
Red echoes by The Last Parade www.bing.com/videos/search?q=red+echoes+by+the+last+parade+music&docid=607992881914907080&mid=225715C5070E2CE4264B225715C5070E2CE4264B&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
Hey Hanna. I love the work you’re doing. I’m new to willow but have several colourful varieties that I’ll be planting out shortly. The living willow fence is especially exciting for me. We have a deer problem here in Quesnel British Columbia, Canada but I can see cross fencing with willow for vegetable and fruit orchard protection. I have a question. What are the best varieties to get a good solid fence? Tall and fast growing. Thank you.
Hi Randy, varieties for fences need to be good and vigorous growing. But not too vigorous either, no biomass varieties. No slender purpura varieties. I use viminalis a lot. But triandra varieties would work too like brown maul.
@@HannaVanAelst I got some willow from Lakeshore Willow in Canada. I’m in BC in Canada. The varieties are named differently than you have. It’s hard to know what brown maul is. It called something else or she doesn’t have it. Are there restrictions shipping willow to Canada. I’d love to get some of your favourite living willow species. Thank you.
Hallo Hannah, thank you for your film, I have some willow wands but don’t know how old they are they’re still bendy and look fresh ish, can you weave a fence of With willow wands of any age? How old old is too old to root? Thank you
The ,main thing is that you want the willow to be freshly harvested. (only ever harvest in winter!) and you want them flexible. The older the rods the harder they get to bend....
I planted a living dome last week. I cut wild rods and they had already started leaving out a little bit before i cut them. Now the leaves are crispy a week later. Are they dead? Is there any hope? I have a few theories on what i did wrong: one i probly started too late, but i didn’t even know about this idea til the day before i did it. 2, they may have dried out as they were lying in my garage one night after cutting (again, living structure was not my original plan until i saw your video that night, so i hadn’t stuck them in water right away). 3) my pruner tool was dull and the cuts maybe weren’t clean enough? 4) maybe the rods were too thick or older. The only ones over 6 feet were 3 year old rods. The Leaves are much bigger on the wild ones i cut from now.....would it be worth it to try again? I’d hate to have to wait a full year.
You cut them slightly too late. Once they are leafing they need a lot of water. Because you only just planted them the roots are not established and won't be able to draw enough water up. It is very likely they won't survive, though some sticks might. But well, that's how we learn right?
Cool technique, cool music, even cooler end result!
Hi Hanna, could you please make a follow up video on the structure. I am really interested to see how it looks when it's matured. Thank you
Me too!
Me too!
me too, I have experience in dealing with willow, inheriting 2 when I moved into my new property, virtually impossible to get rid of, they are super fast growers and you have to be very careful where you put them in the garden, in open spaces is fine where they have room to grow, but in ordinary gardens they can be very troublesome! I have one that sprouted up only 4 years ago, it puts on about 8 to 10 feet per year and has a trunk now approx 7 inch thick!
I'm curious about this too. I'm a bit worried that there are no videos or photos of what these live fences and structures look like after many years. They look great when young, but like you said, they're very fast growers and almost impossible to get rid of. I think I'd be very careful about making a living willow structure in a small garden at least.
Im assuming you cut back/coppice every year@@ximono
I was going to say it's like weaving a big basket - then I read your narrative 😁Just done some more cuttings hoping to grow them to a size where I can make a dome & tunnel. Inspiration - a hedge would be good... Withy is such a magical tree, as a child a gypsy friend showed me how to make whistles, catapults, and chew bark to numb pain. Thank you for the inspiration 👍🍃
OMG!! How about a Large Tunnel for a Greenhouse!!! Whaaaaat!!!!!!!! Please make this!
Absolutely beautiful, thank you, I'd love to see this structure as it matures
Great suggestion!
I just bought two willow bush/trees at the home store on clearance for $5.00 each. I'm going to try this! Thank you for making and sharing. I'm in Minnesota.
I wondered where to get them. It might be sufficient barrier for my mini cockapoo and mini doodle. But USA building codes say a yard needs a gate.
that last spiral fence with the prism at the outside end was magnificent. thanks for sharing this!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I loved this video! What an inspiration! You are such a gift, Hannah. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise and art!
So glad you enjoyed it!
Hanna, thanks for this that I can watching it!
You are an inspiration, thank you for sharing your talents!
You're so welcome!
This is so awesome to watch. My grandma had a HUGE flower and veggie garden that she maintained herself and always had woven fences or driftwood stacked fences. No nails or anything. I wanted to put a small border by my own garden and have some smaller thinner dried vines to use up and want to attempt this on a smaller scale. Even if it doesn't work I felt like I learned something today so thank you.
-Hannah
Love the videos. Can you make a few more of the fence making videos, height, variety, maintenance and biggest challenges? And of course the updates on the state of the fence after a few years. Much Apperciated
Thank you for sharing your knowledge! I like that you showed us all the steps for setting up the living fence.
You are very welcome!
wow thank you very much... will make a great wind break.
It would for sure!
I've seen this before, but the way you presented it was beautifully done. The music was perfect.
This is amazing, exactly the kind of video I was looking for! I purchased a property a little over a year ago that had some fence in need of repair, and I was hoping lumber prices would go down so I could afford to fix it, but they haven't. Wr have LOADS of willow on the property, though!
Well how did it go?
You are God given eco friendly talent! God bless you, more! From Transfarmer Philippines
That is amazing and very whimsical.
Loved it
Love from Northern Missouri
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
Utterly amazing
Your work is very impressive, Hanna. You have inspired me to attempt many new projects.
Wonderful!
So lovely. Would love to see how it looks in a few years. Do you have to plant it a certain distance away from a house?
Thanks, Hanna! Can wait to see the willow fence after it starts rooting.
Wow I love them!
Thanks!
Absolutley amazing. You inspire me so much. I have learned basicaly everything i know about weaving from you. It really helps my ptsd keeps my mind here in the present. I made my first sale on one of my baskets today. Thank you so much Hanna.. Love and respect from the north coast of California.
Oh wow that's amazing so excited for you! A first sale is always special. So happy I was able to get you here. Much love xx
Thank you for posting this video, there are so many applications that come to mind. Could you post a short video update of what your fences looks like a year later? ♥
Will do!
Oh, yes, please do 🙏 @@HannaVanAelst
I love your videos and approach. Thank you so much for sharing.
You are so welcome!
Truly a work of art. Thank you!
Thank you, I loved this video, tried to weave a dome myself some weeks ago, ended up with a strange looking fence! 😅 You made it look so easy! I have signed up for your online course. Thanks for the warning, I tried the course "sew your own lambskin blanket with prints".. I have many today! I am addicted! 🤣 Familiar scenery with the snow, I have just made a homemade greenhouse for my newly planted rhododendrons, we are expecting a snowstorm tonight, that's life in Norway.
You are so welcome! Glad you are here.
Hi Hanna, I just love your show ! And I appreciate all of the hard work and effort you put into it’s making........well done... regs Brendan xxx
Hi Brendan, so delighted to hear you are enjoying the video's thanks!
Very inspiring and helpful. Thank you very much.
Great to watch and listen as well.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Hannah Years ago on a Permaculture site in Hesketh Bank a couple of use decided toget some 6x6Ft hazel fencing for around the bee area. It was going to cost us £1000 for them being ready made. We came up with an idea to ask a local fence maker to bring us enough material to make our fences and give a days training. This cost us £500. Happy Days.. A couple of weeks later and some saw hands and backs we got it done.
But what i am trying to get to is, your living fencing will go on and on and on. Ours has just about had it, so i think our should be the next project. The good thing about it to is as it grows we will be able to make new fences with the old fencing as you trim it is guess?
Love your videos where abouts are you with you asking for people to come and help? I am in the UK between Preston and Liverpool.
Bravo! Well done! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, you're very welcome!
Thats fantastic lovely work well done cheers from Ireland
Thank you! Cheers!
Awesome video Hanna!! Loved it❤️💚
Thanks Martine! Glad you enjoyed it.
You make it look so easy! Great video, thanks..
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
How wonderful! Very inspiring!
Thank you so much!
it would be very interesting to see an update of these amazing structures. Also how it looks in spring/summer
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
You are so welcome!
Wow. I just bought a home in a temperate region, and I will be making one fo these fences
Excellent! Well... except the snowy parts ;) I'm thinking of trying your technique in a domed structure. Maybe... someday, eh? Thank you Hanna.
Absolutely works too!
🇩🇪Germany in the house 🙂
nice one very creative
4:21 The tripod wanted to join with the willows.
I’m just envious of all the land . Where I live we have postage stamp yards, all I see is the neighbors houses.
Perfect! Thank you!
Love it . Great near my wild life pond .
Yes indeed!
LOVE this video and the artistry in weaving living willow structures! I also really vibed with the song you used…could anyone provide the title and artist, please?! ❤
Wow so amazing.
Thank you so much
Incredible.
Thank you!
I would love to see what this fence looks like today.
Awesome video love the music too!
Thanks 👍
How is the fence looking this spring - 2021? I would love an update. Thanks.
Hiya ,,thank you so much,,love what you do with the willow ,,i will have to try it,,,,you have a new subbie now ,,,,Stay Safe ,,,Cheers,,,
Your work is very impressive and inspiring ... music is also awesome...:)
Thank you so much 😀
What kind of willow do you use. I live in the south USA. I have seen the hybrid willows that grow very fast and may coppice well here. I love the idea of a living fence.
Very inspiring! I've just been out to walk my land to make a decision about where my arbour is going to go. Think we have a plot that would be ideal!
Very exciting!
Fantabulous
Very cool 👏👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you so much for the video! Very helpful. Can you tell me where you got all of the willow? I am interested in doing this project but not sure where all of the materials would come from.
Just beautiful! Would love to see it as it grows.😊🐝❤ I subscribed!
Thanks! I did not get there last summer, maybe I will manage this year...
Love it, who's the music in this video?please and thanx
Outstanding 😊😍❣️💚
I'm grateful to have found this video. I love your content, I've subscribed, and want to also mention that the tunes are lovely as well. I'm guessing you used canes from a Weeping Willow? I read through the comments and didn't notice any mention of the type of willow you chose for these projects. If you're able could let us know? Thank you.
Thanks, now I know what to do.
Glad I could help!
Hi, thanks for videos, you let to see for everyone. Can I do ask? What month you start grow up willows life trees?
Amazing
That is so beautiful. Do you have a link to a follow up video to see it in summer? Does it grow leaves? I assume you use fresh cuttings so it's living? I weave on a loom but I've always been fascinated by willow since I was a child. Weeping willows mainly. A child's jungle gym.
Здорово
Я из России
Это классные идеи
Благодарю тебя дорогая
Danke für dieses Video ,ich werde es für meine Pferdeweide nachbauen in Deutschland an unserer Moorweide ! Kann ich Frischgeschnittene Ruten gleich stecken ?
Es ist bis jetzt der Beste Flechtzaun den ich jetzt gesehen habe 🦄🤩
Oh thanks Daniela, yes you can and should use freshly cut willow rods. They need to be alive to be planted and be able to grow. This means cut within a couple of weeks. Best of luck! Love xx
Hannah can you answer the question about distance from the house please? Thank You 🍀
Beautiful! I have a field of sumac trees that I am going to cut down. I wonder if I could do this with them. They are all about 5 ft tall.
Never tried Sumac, but try it out and let me know! Nothing to lose...
gives me ideas of rather then putting up a water particle cloud net on mountains, yet to weave a living net, the plastic nets have to be maintained, and have a short life span, where as a tall living fence on mountains using natures materials makes more sense.
Amazing! What variety and age were your rods?
They were all viminalis, one year growth, they were more the 8ft tall
@@HannaVanAelst is the viminalis you used the Weeping Bottlebrush variety?
@@tumbleweedwendy4318 Don't think so Wendy. I don't know the weeping bottlebrush variety.
Nice, a tutorial on how to weave baskets for giants.
Inspiring! May I assume you did not coppice these at the same time as the basket collection? Had you planned this ahead and allowed the canes to get thicker for fencing? What type of salix is this? I am definitely doing this. We have the bog and I'm sure we have the right willow. What’s your opinion on red or yellow dogwood for baskets? Any good?
All of the rods are one year growth, so yes cut at the same time as my main willow harvest. It is possible to use 2 year old rods. They are a little harder to weave into a lattice structure though and can be branchy. This variety is Salix Viminalis. It grows fast and easily and is great for structures, not so great for baskets. Dogwood is ok for weavers but not as good as willow. It does not grow as long, is often thicker and less flexible. You can also not really soak it, needs to be used semi-green.
To test your willow for weaving suitability wrap a fresh rod around your arm. It should not break. If it does it is for sure not good for weaving. If it does not I would try it out. Happy weaving!
Hanna...I salute your energy, artistry and drive....good for you. I have a question in relation to the finished top braiding, I am in the middle of my first willow fence and pergola, I bought the willow from a willow supplier. I made the mistake of trimming the top of my new willow fence without weaving the necklace band (at the top of the fence), can I amend this by weaving slim rods under the last diamond shape at the top? Many thanks Hanna. Iv subscribed to your channel. Bernie
Hi Bernie, I actually prefer trimming the top as this seems to encourage more growth at the bottom. And yes I would weave a support rod into the top and tie it on. Best of luck!
How do you manage this when it starts to grow? What does it look like during the growing season?
Ah Hanna, this is so beautiful!
I am currently binge watching your videos 🥰
I am planning on doing a community project that will involve planting a willow fence.
Could you tell me how many rods you typically use per meter and how long the rods should be?
Thank you so much!
On another note, I tried accessing your online course page, but unfortunately it’s not working. Have you taken them down or is it a website issue?
Much love from Cumbria! 🌱💚🌿
So cool! Do you have a video on how to weave in the tips? Is it just the same as the middle area? Thanks so much just love seeing you things!
Weaving in the tips is just going over and under in a random fashion, weaving them into one another. There is no set way to do it, just try it out and it will be clear...
Hanna Van Aelst thank you so much from NH USA
Hi Hanna,
First : thank you for sharing your knowledge. I’ve watched all of your videos to date and have really enjoyed them. Please keep up the good work 👏
I’ve just got into the wonderful world of willow this year and have a couple of questions. My original plan was to plant a living willow fence, to replace the fence between mine & my neighbours gardens which blew down in the winds that we had here in Wales at Christmas, so after a little bit of research I bought a bundle of 20cm sticks which I pushed into the ground with roughly 30cm spacing. They were a bundle of mixed varieties. Some rooted and got established, others didn’t take at all. Some that grew shoots got eaten by something and then I read that willow roots can be invasive and as such Willow shouldn’t be planted less than around 50ft from any domestic drainage systems or houses because they will seek out any water source to tap into. So, in a panic, I pulled up all of the remaining sticks and put them into containers. (Looking at your videos it looks like I bought and planted the wrong size sticks anyway 🙄)
So, now that I’ve found your lovely channel, maybe you could clear a few things up for me? I’d still like to have a living willow fence, because I have ducks, geese & chickens and the boundary that I wanted to grow it on borders their enclosure, but their enclosure is no more than 6 meters away from the house and their pond which is lined with plastic pond liner is around 1/2 a meter from it. Is it safe to plant a living willow fence, or even a living willow trellis, in this area?
And, can willow be grown successfully in containers for harvesting, as long as the plants are kept well watered?
Hi Del,
Firstly, thanks for your kind words, I am delighted you like the channel.
Secondly about the living willow fence. It sounds like you bought willow cuttings. These should be planted and then harvested after one year. This is what I use for making my willow fences, one year old willow rods from a variety I know does well for fences.
You planted different varieties together. This often does not work as some are more vigorous and will shade out the smaller ones.
As for where to plant it. I agree you should stay well away from a house, boundary, pipes, drainage systems etc. as willow roots are vigorous and will look for water. The plants also grow tall and wide, maybe not something your neighbours want?
A dry willow fence can be a solution though. But that needs a lot more willow!
Hope this helps..
Love H
Hanna Van Aelst That’s brilliant. Thanks. Now I know I didn’t panic unnecessarily.
I’ve got the willow cuttings growing in containers, and anything that survives 12 months I’ll harvest for making things. I can at least make some willow hurdles & whatnot for the birds enclosure, and maybe even an egg basket. I DID manage to get some fresh cut willow free from someone who was cutting their plant back. I’ve roughly graded that and have got it drying in an old gym locker, so I might well get to making my first basket, with your help, of course, a little earlier than next year 😁
I’ve been doing little bits of weaving with privet hedge clippings, fallen palm fronds & ivy from my garden for several years, just really to use my own resources as much as possible because I like to recycle & repurpose as much as possible. I’m also really drawn to all of the old traditional crafts and will have a go at pretty much anything if it means I can use the stuff that I’ve salvaged or have lying around. For me, it’s about moving as far into self sufficiency as I can while living in a semi suburban, semi detached 😆
I think adding willow to my resources is going to be a bit of a game changer for me and I’m very pleased to have found you. Your videos truly are lovely to watch. They’re informative, the music is lovely, your art and poetry is lovely and you’re showing the real life stuff, warts (or bumps) and all. I look forward to the next instalment.
Stay safe and best wishes
Del
@@del9957 Yes the willow should be fine in containers. Just make sure they don't dry out too much.
Sounds very interesting what you are doing and I agree that learning about willow will enhance your skills and resourcefulness no end! I am so happy to hear that you enjoy the videos and that they are helping you learn new skills.
Much love
I see the date for this was in February. There is no way I will ever be able to poke a rod into the ground in February where I live. Is this a late fall project or an early spring project? I think for willow that is available locally, I would do best using sandbar willow. I would love to give it a go anyway.
So will the sticks you drove into the ground grow roots? Sorry, I'm very new to the idea of willow structures
Yes they sure will! Easy peasy!
Very very nice,,
Thank you! Cheers!
I live in a suburb on and acre and a half. I’m at the top of a wooded ridge where all the deer run through. I planted 15 fruit trees which I have small circular fences around , but the deer still eat branches as they grow past the fences. I’ve been considering putting up a tall wood and metal fence but that’s expensive and unattractive. I thought this might be a nice alternative but I saw from your other video, deer had decimated a field of your saplings. Is there a way to protect the willow fence when you first start it from deer? Or, are you just making a deer salad bar? 🤣 I’d love to hear more about your experience with deer and willow. I see people feeding it to goats and I assume horses would eat it to… can it really be used to fence in critters/live stock without them destroying it? I thought maybe you could encircle your fence with multiple rows of electric fence until it grew for 3-4 years. But, would it be worth the effort or would deer still destroy it even after it was more mature? Deer are so destructive to gardens and young trees. They have laid waste to many hours of hard work and effort. We try to be more self sustainable but deer make it very challenging and expensive.
Love your choice of music! Is this just regular old willow like u find at the river?
Thanks! This is willow I grow specifically for projects like these. This one is a viminalis variety. It is flexible and easy to grow. It also grows nice straight thick rods in one season.
I hope you will update this video in the coming years. Nice job!
Thanks! I will for sure.
How close can you get the spacing on a living willow fence? Would it be possible to space the stems close enough to make a fence for chickens, for example?
Great video. Can you tell me what the music is?
Red echoes by The Last Parade
www.bing.com/videos/search?q=red+echoes+by+the+last+parade+music&docid=607992881914907080&mid=225715C5070E2CE4264B225715C5070E2CE4264B&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
Traumhaft 🙌
Wonderful! How do you keep the weaving process straight so you don't get confused what goes where?
Can I plant a garden bed right next to a living willow fence withouth the willow wicking the water away from the plants in the garden bed?
Hey Hanna. I love the work you’re doing. I’m new to willow but have several colourful varieties that I’ll be planting out shortly. The living willow fence is especially exciting for me. We have a deer problem here in Quesnel British Columbia, Canada but I can see cross fencing with willow for vegetable and fruit orchard protection. I have a question. What are the best varieties to get a good solid fence? Tall and fast growing. Thank you.
Hi Randy, varieties for fences need to be good and vigorous growing. But not too vigorous either, no biomass varieties. No slender purpura varieties. I use viminalis a lot. But triandra varieties would work too like brown maul.
@@HannaVanAelst I got some willow from Lakeshore Willow in Canada. I’m in BC in Canada. The varieties are named differently than you have. It’s hard to know what brown maul is. It called something else or she doesn’t have it. Are there restrictions shipping willow to Canada. I’d love to get some of your favourite living willow species. Thank you.
nice
Thanks
When did you cut and collect your willow ?
What does this look like later? With leaves and growing?
I could not get there last summer but will return this summer and show you....
Hanna, do you have some pictures of these projects later, like in the May and August?
Hi Peter, no I have not I will make sure to get some next summer...
@@HannaVanAelst Hello, do you have some pictures already?
Hallo Hannah, thank you for your film, I have some willow wands but don’t know how old they are they’re still bendy and look fresh ish, can you weave a fence of With willow wands of any age? How old old is too old to root? Thank you
The ,main thing is that you want the willow to be freshly harvested. (only ever harvest in winter!) and you want them flexible. The older the rods the harder they get to bend....
@@HannaVanAelst thank you
do you need to prepare the ground under the lining
Where do you get the shoots from? Looks like you need a lot of them.
How do you get the plastic out of your soil?
Is it necessary?
does willow need to be watered often or grow in a area w/ lots of rain?
What species of willows does this work with? Particularly interested in species that can grow in Canada
I planted a living dome last week. I cut wild rods and they had already started leaving out a little bit before i cut them. Now the leaves are crispy a week later. Are they dead? Is there any hope? I have a few theories on what i did wrong: one i probly started too late, but i didn’t even know about this idea til the day before i did it. 2, they may have dried out as they were lying in my garage one night after cutting (again, living structure was not my original plan until i saw your video that night, so i hadn’t stuck them in water right away). 3) my pruner tool was dull and the cuts maybe weren’t clean enough? 4) maybe the rods were too thick or older. The only ones over 6 feet were 3 year old rods. The Leaves are much bigger on the wild ones i cut from now.....would it be worth it to try again? I’d hate to have to wait a full year.
You cut them slightly too late. Once they are leafing they need a lot of water. Because you only just planted them the roots are not established and won't be able to draw enough water up. It is very likely they won't survive, though some sticks might. But well, that's how we learn right?