Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I grow willow where I am located?
Q2. What varieties should I grow?
Q3. Why are cuttings used and not rooted plants?
Q4. Will all cuttings grow?
Q5. I have a swamp, so is that a good place to grow willow?
Q6. What are the growing conditions for willow?
Q7. Which willows should I plant for trellises/fences?
Q8. Do I need a lot of land for planting willow?
Q9. Does willow spread?
Q10. How do I order dried willow?
Q11. What are the prices of dried willow?
Q12. Can I come and take a traditional willow class from Bonnie Gale?
Q13. Can I pay by credit card when I place an order?
Q14. How quickly can I receive my order?

Q1. Can I grow willow where I am located?

If wild willow grows in your region, you can probably grow these cultivated varieties.  In low rainfall areas, irrigation may be necessary.  Please approach willow growing with a spirit of experimentation--with your site, and with varieties which are best for your climate and needs.

Q2. What varieties should I grow?

There are cultivated varieties for basketry, biomass, stream bank stabilization, ornament and furniture/trellis/hurdle use.  The varieties chosen should depend on the desired use.

Q3. Why are cuttings used and not rooted plants?

Planting cuttings by literally pushing them into the ground is a lot easier than digging a hole for each rooted plant.  Willow does NOT need to be rooted prior to planting as it has the unique ability to root itself.

Q4. Will all cuttings grow?

Most cuttings should grow, but this is naturally dependent on the supplier, site conditions and the care that is taken in planting and maintenance. 

Q5. I have a swamp, so is that a good place to grow willow?

Not necessarily.  Willow is seen growing in swamps because it needs to grow without competition from other plants, and it can tolerate the high level of moisture.  Also, alluvial soils provide a fertile environment for the germination of willow seeds.  It is best to grow willow in good fertile land which is not swampy.  Willow can actually store water in is roots in drier conditions.

Q6. What are the growing conditions for willow?

Full sun and lack of plant competition are essential.  Basket willows will be cut or coppiced every year in the dormant season, while trellis willows will be allowed to grow for several years.

Q7. Which willows should I plant for trellises/fences?

3 common varieties are:  S. x hagensus; S. americana; and S. x dasyclados.  The latter may be the most vigorous.

Q8. Do I need a lot of land for planting willow?

No.  In fact, it is recommended that basket willows be planted 6 inches apart in rows 2 feet apart.  Biomass and trellis willows should be planted 2 feet apart within the row.

Q9. Does willow spread?

No, it does not have a spreading underground root system, like mint, for example.  It does have deep roots, however, so it should be planted in a permanent location.

Q10. How do I order dried willow?

You order by the pound and by the length.  It is important to specify exact lengths (3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 foot).  The taller willows have thicker butt diameters and there are fewer rods in a pound.  It is also necessary to specify the type of willow (brown, steamed brown, white or buff).

Q11. What are the prices of dried willow?

Please refer to the Willows page for a breakdown of both retail and wholesale prices.  Willow is sold by the pound and the cost per pound is lower for large volume orders.

Q12. Can I come and take a traditional willow class from Bonnie Gale?

Yes, all levels of students are very welcome!  The Class List shows all the classes that Bonnie Gale teaches.  Some available weekends are noted, but if you are part of a group of at least three students, Bonnie is willing to hold a custom class--please contact her with details of your needs.   Bonnie is also willing to come to your location and conduct a class if you will reimburse her travel expenses.

Q13. Can I pay by credit card when I place an order?

We prefer not to take credit card payments on small orders because the credit card company keeps a percentage of the sale.  Please enclose a check with your completed order form, or, for your convenience, we can send your order COD.

Q14. How quickly can I receive my order?

Once we receive payment, we will ship your order out immediately.  If any items are not in stock, we will notify you right away.  Your order will be shipped by UPS or Priority Mail (usually used for west coast addresses) and should reach you within a week.