Salix Twigs

Using Willows for Crafts, Baskets, Obelisks - The Possibilities are Endless

Many Salix species make their home in all parts of Canada – a very useful and highly adaptable shrub or small tree.

Salix Twigs

The cambium layer of Salix twigs is the source of salicylic acid, the basis for our common or garden variety of fever reducing and pain killing Aspirin.

The native willows – Salix bebbiana, Salix exigua and Salix interior are common in all provinces along streams and creeks, relishing the moisture, not even minding seasonal inundation.

In some cases they are deliberately planted by inserting big cuttings into the banks of streams and rivers to prevent erosion, as shelterbelts and windbreaks in windy areas on the edge of fields.

Rooting easily in any moist soil, these are a valuable wildlife food source – the pollen is an important early food source prized by bees just coming out of hibernation, the twigs are browsed by moose and deer, and birds scrounge for insects in the long flexible branches.

They are also utilized by rabbits and voles during the winter under the snow – they can do a lot of damage to the stems, but don’t worry, they will grow back even better than before.

Many hybridized Salix varieties are used in ornamental settings.

All willows are beautiful in summer with a breeze blowing their leaves over to expose the silvery undersides of the leaves, and lovely in a snowy field in winter with the bright colours of the bark dramatically outlined against the white background.

Care should be taken in deciding the location of willows, as their reputation as a septic system destroyer is come by honestly – never plant willows near sewer lines or water lines as they are moisture hogs and love the nutrient rich soil and water near these necessary and delicate systems.

One interesting thing about working with Salix twigs is the smell – both in the newly harvested form and dried. The scent is sweet, and when burned (as you will have scraps) it’s even more intense.

How to use Salix Twigs:

The uses of Salix for crafts is almost endless – they have been used for centuries as twig basket making material supreme, for fish catching implements, creels, cradles, laundry baskets, and the larger twigs are prized for making into twig lattice, hurdles, gates and fences.

Larger yet the main trunks of willows are used for twig furniture. Also look for diamond willow for an even more elaborate design for special applications.

Salix rods in storage

Care of Salix for Best Twig Production:

Salix benefit from coppicing or a hard pruning right back to the stool which will produce many long straight twigs and canes during the following summer. This should be done in early spring before the new growth emerges.

Pollarding is a similar system but allowing a tall stem or trunk to develop, then cutting back the new branches annually to the top of the stem, forming a pom pom effect.

Managed properly, your Salix can be utilized in all stages – allowed to grow for two and three years the bigger willow twigs will be used for larger items, while the one year twigs can be made into baskets and smaller craft projects.

The canes can be stored in cold basement or root cellar or used immediately for twig balls, obelisks, twig trellis making and other crafts.

If they are dried out for later use, they must be soaked at least overnight before use in willow baskets, wreaths and other crafts.

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