Willow Withies from Devon
Willow is a most pliable and vigorous wood. It is sacred in many cultures and willow withies are sometimes used to make coffins. Willow makes a very effective and fast growing hedge.
Our willow plantation
Our willow is Soil Association certified organic. We have our own plantations of willow (Viminalis, Swedish and Flanders Red) and extensive stools of hazel throughout the woods. We run living willow and willow weaving courses using our own willow crop which we also sell.
Flanders red willow withies growing on our farm.
Coombe farm willow
Uses of willow
Phil gathering willow.
Green willow structures: Using live willow to build living willow chairs, tipis, bowers etc.
Stopping erosion: weaving live willow into eroding banks to keep them from being washed away.
Planting Willow: just cut off a short stem, size depending on what you want to do with it, push it into wet ground, perhaps 6 inches deep, and watch it grow. Willow is a very fast grower. Keep weeds away from it until it is firmly established.
We also grow and produce hazel. Hazel can be used to build old-fashioned animal pens now more commonly used as garden structures or thatching spars.
Our willow is Soil Assocition certified organic. Find out more about our Environmental policy
Site and content © Coombe Farm Trust 2008