The "fedge" (fence/hedge) is the building
block of most living willow structures. The fedge has three components:
vertical uprights; horizontal binder and diagonal sets of weavers.
The uprights provide the structural elements of the fedge and
the binder or pairing weave keep the uprights in the same plane.
Diagonal weavers in both directions further strengthen and reinforce
the fedge.
Below are illustrations of the building stages
of a major installation in Norwich, New York in 2005, involving
two living fedges curving into an arch with more fedges leading
to a dome. The young fella involved is my eldest son, Timothy.
1) Layout of the whole structure
2) Using the metal bar to make the holes at an
angle for the arch rods
3) Planting the
circle of the dome uprights
4) Using a metal bar to make the holes
for the diagonal weavers. Please note that the horizontal
binder weave has been added to keep the uprights in place,
prior to this step.
5) Watering the structure
6) Working on the top of the arch
7) Working on the arch
8) Working on the arch
9) Tying the structure
10) Two months later
11)
The installation in August just after a summer prune
