My Garden

Living willow dome?

Last post 13-10-2009 9:26 PM by Lisa MTT. 5 replies.

• 11/10/2009 09:39 PM

  Lisa MTT Location: Cambs Joined on: 08 Mar 2009 Posts: 42

  Reply | Contact I'm going to be helping my local primary school to create a dome of living willow which will be used (we hope) as an outdoor classroom. I've got a contact for a local willow supplier, but they are on their hols so, in the meantime ... What's the largest diameter & height we could expect to build from willow whips? What material would be best to put on the floor area? Any particular considerations for where would be a good spot? Light/shade/shelter/moisture/etc Any other tips for the early planning stages? All help very much appreciated! Many thanks Lisa "Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is." H Jackson Browne

• 12/10/2009 08:00 AM

  In reply to

  ErWe Location: Vienna, Austria Joined on: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 48

  Reply | Contact as to the height and diameter: I would expect to be the height of the dome about half the diameter, 'cause your're building a hemisphere, essentially. So, the size would depend on the length of the wands you get hold of (for your calculation you have to substract the overlap, and the part of the wands which is planted). I've seen dirt, sand, leafmould and bark so far in willow structures. In my opinion, the material should help to prevent overly compaction of the soil, and to keep it moist. For willows, choose a moist area, and a sunny (to partially shaded) spot. here : http://www.willowkits.co.uk/html/make_a_dome.html some instructions and http://images.google.com/images?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1SNYT_DEAT345&q=living%20willow%20dome&lr=lang_en%7Clang_de&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi to give an impression of the sizes possible.   regards, r.w.

• 12/10/2009 07:49 PM

  In reply to

  AlexS Location: Reading Joined on: 06 Sep 2009 Posts: 58

  Reply | Contact Willow really does need a reliably moist spot. They root easily, but they die easily too if the ground dries out. During school terms they can be watered, but over the summer holiday it will only take an August like the September we've just had (i.e, no rain) for all your work to be lost if the ground dries out. And willows generally do best in full sun. Our local council in Reading has some land by the river where willows have been planted, and people can get permission to cut what they need, within certain limitations. For a project like yours it might be worth checking out whether there's a similar free supply in your area. Alex

• 12/10/2009 11:37 PM	In reply to
  Lisa MTT Location: Cambs Joined on: 08 Mar 2009 Posts: 42	Reply | Contact Thank you both for your really useful advice. The links are very helpful and I'll certainly make sure that I talk to the groundsman about watering! L "Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is." H Jackson Browne

• 13/10/2009 07:36 AM

  In reply to

  willowman Location: Brittany, France Joined on: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 17

  Reply | Contact  A living willow dome for a classroom is a great idea. Wish l had one when l was a child! You will be able to buy whips up to 3 to 4 metres long which will be good for your main uprights. For the floor l would opt to put down a membrane and cover this with soft bark chippings. You could be preparing the ground now ready for planting. Mark out the area and dig it over incorperating lots of compost.  Willow does best in sunny moist conditions but so long as the willow itself is planted through a membrane and you water the willow in times of drought you should be fine. I made one for my garden a few years ago and have never watered it and its going great guns. Good luck and enjoy.

• 13/10/2009 09:26 PM	In reply to
  Lisa MTT Location: Cambs Joined on: 08 Mar 2009 Posts: 42	Reply | Contact Brilliant - thank you so much. I'm meeting the Head & Groundsman tomorrow to discuss the site!! V excited Lisa "Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is." H Jackson Browne