Kitchen Garden Forum

hi
i was given cuttings of a bio mass willow I was told it can grow up to 9 feet a year. could i use it to make a willow arch or dome etc, or could I let it grow into trees
regards
nemo,

I would hazard a guess and say Yes to the arch/dome idea. You would want something quick growing to get the effect and as long as you are prepared to prune regularly then it should be OK although eventually I would say that any arch/dome would get too woody? Sorry this has probably confused you but it occurs to me that I have never seen any old established living willow structures but they must be somewhere out there?

thanks marken
it makes sense what you said
its nice to hear it from someone, i too have never seen an old willow arch
thanks
nemo

A friend built himself a willow arch from willow cuttings. It looked lovely for three of four years and he cut it back regularly to keep it in check but then it became too woody and he had to take it out altogether, not an easy job!