The N.V.A.A. has embarked on a new project for 2008 and that is to create structures from sustainable materials which are not only pleasing to the eye but also practical and serve to enhance habitat for wild life. We hope that these creations will also prove to be educational and school children and other visitors will be encouraged to try their hand at willow weaving.

As we tackle each creation a step by step guide will be produced listing materials, tools and approximate time frame from start to finish.

Some of our structures will be made from living willow others from dead; our only experience with working with willows was a woven hedge at the hatchery entrance and a lower safety hedge.

So join us as we create our first design which is a planter which will be filled with soil or compost and planted with chives which produce beautiful flowers which the bees love, unfortunately last year our rabbit population increased dramatically resulting in a lot of our plants being munched to ground level. Alternatively it can be used as a rubbish bin where by a removable liner would be used. The structure is fixed in position but can also be built on a board making it transportable. We will explain how to fix base as we progress.

Project1 Raised Planter/Waste Bin:

Method:                                       Tools used.

We have been most fortunate in being able to harvest our willow from Mr Andrew McGregor of Craigmill, Strathaven free of charge. Andrew is very keen to see country crafts being revived and the habitat for wildlife improved.

Fairly straight willow cuttings up to 10mm diameter and over 900mm long. The longer the better but short lengths can also be woven in. the height and width of the structure will determine how many cuttings will be required. We used approximately 100 for the horizontal weaving. You will also require thicker straight cuttings at least 15mm in diameter and 1300mm long, the amount will be dependent on circumference of structure. Chose an odd number spacing them approximately 150mm apart.

Use something with circular base to set out perimeter  we used a large blue drum but a circular piece of metal, timber, plastic, etc can be used as a template.

Push the upright willow into the soil approximately 150mm firming around them with your foot when they are in position. Weaving can now begin this done by ensuring the thicker end of cutting is lodged in front one of the uprights and will be held in place as the weave begins. Now weave the cutting in and out of the up-rights, as you come to the end of the cutting snip off the excess so that the cutting locks itself in place by pressure.

Continue to add to the weave ensuring that the weave rises evenly, heights can be altered by moving the point where each cutting ends and the next begins if one section is getting thick start next cutting using thin end first. After each six or so layers use the heel of your hand to compact the layers together. Alternatively a piece of wood such as a length of brush shaft can be used the tighter the layers the better.       

Continue this process until the desired height is reached we chose approx.900mm

                                                  We have included brush to give some idea of the scale of the structure.               

                                                                                                  A couple of friends trying their hand.

When the required height has been reached, trim up-rights to length approx. 15mm above the last horizontal weave.
This will allow liner to be fixed in position when cut to required size.
Simply cut a slit in liner material with craft knife adjacent to the up-right then slot the liner over the stump.
Please be careful when using sharp tools.

We chose to leave base uncovered for free draining purposes.

The planter can now be filled with compost or loam and the plants added. Please bear in mind that the upright cuttings will take root and side shoots will grow throughout the summer these can be woven in or simply trimmed off the choice is yours.

Good luck and we hope that you get a lot of pleasure from joining us in this wonderful craft. Please feel free to send some pictures of your own creations and we would be grateful for any tips we can get. Any off cuts pencil thick or above and over 150mm in length can be pushed into the soil in a spare section of the garden to be harvested later when they take root and grow, 100mm or deeper should do the trick check direction of buds the points will show the polarity of the cutting.

Buds point in direction of growth upwards the square cut should always be at the bottom of the cutting. The sloped cut at top prevents rain water from lying on the cutting and rotting it away.
Cut as close to the node (bud) as possible this will prevent die back if cut is too long.