Living fence as grape trellis/arbor

So, lately I've been drooling over how they use willow to make living fences and other outdoor structures.
(For instance: Bonnie Gale - Living Willow Structures
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sFnTXrU3gw )

Just wondering if a person could double-down and use the living willow structure for a grape trellis or arbor?

Would it be strong enough to support the grapes?

Do the two species "get along" or would they stunt eachother?

Can't comment much on willow, but my Concord grapes grew up off my fence and 20 feet up into the neighboring mulberry tree. The grapes grew fine and made lots of grapes, and the tree didn't seem to mind. Problem was picking those grapes from 20 feet up. I think willow would be fine. Worst thing that would happen is the occasional broken branch. Grapes love to climb trees.

I've rooted grape cuttings and willow cuttings together and they've done well together, so I bet they would do fine growing together.

The only issue I can think of would be that most table grapes seem to like drier soil and willows wetter soil, but if you can grow muscadine grapes they do well on wetter soil.

I have a lot of muscadines growing on apple trees and they have done great so far.

Hope it goes well if you give it a try!

Steve

That sounds like a cool combo! I imagine Riverbank Grapes would also do quite well in that scenario, but that is dependent on the tasting experience you want from your grapes. Although they are used extensively in viniculture, it is solely for breeding programs, and as rootstock. The fruit is considered too acidic for wine, with an unsuitable flavor profile given consumer expectations.

In the same vein, I have also heard about people creating grape "trees" by using supports to weave several grape vines into one single "trunk" using supports when the vines are young. The idea is that once the vines get older and stronger they will support each other on their own, and the cordons can be trained outwards from the vines for fruit. Not practical but very cool!

Eric S.