willow structures

[gb]

this is something weve been building for a while at college. its basically living willow planted to look like a dragon. this is a pictiure from february i think, but it looks loads better now leaves are out so i'll try to get a more recent picture sometime.

it got me thinking about shelters - would native peoples have planted living shelters from willow or hazel? i read somewhere about shepherds in wales using hurdles as portable shelters, but presumably these were not living.
now the leaves are out its does a great job of keeping out the wind and sun. although i suppose that because its only really a shelter in the summer then people could have used any tree to shelter under.

any thoughts?

 

[tree_hugger]

i make shelters out of hazel but i find it difficult to find material to thatch it with.
surf mello

 

[gb]

theres some problem with the image at yoxio, it was there the day i posted but its gone now. i'll upload it again when i go back to college.

cheers gb

 

[Andy]

the Earth center has loads of willow structures. they use them as shelterd pathways in some more exposed parts I sem to remember. I don't think I have any photos though. I think its one of the best bits they have there.
Not living but yurts are willow shelters with felt wrapped around them

 

[gb]

the pic is back again now so you can see what i'm talkin about

cheers gb

 

[woodsitter]

In my experience, willow is not without its problems.

I knew someone who cut himself a lot of willow to construct a fence next to a path passing his garden. During the summer the willow ‘exploded’ :shock:
The willow wasn't quite dead is seems at least it started living again. It grew so bizarre fast that the path was impassable in a matter of weeks.

 

[ESpy]

I know that one of old - also the hard way!

Any way to make sure the stuff doesn't regrow?

 

[gb]

cut it down and paint the stumps with glyphosate or something similar. the chemicals will break down in a couple of days and wont do too much damage the environment, just dont do it near watercourses. or you can get a stump grinder if you have loads of bigger stuff.

cheers gb

 

[ESpy]

Might have to be glyphosate - I want to use the poles in the garden. :-?