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living fence

Posts: 14

Location: Athens, Ga moving to Little River, SC soon

posted 11 years ago

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Has anyone any experience with building with living material? Can weeping willow be used to
make living fence or is it to much to try and maintain. I have some in my greenhouse rooting
for this purpose but in my readings I cant seem to find any use of weeping type for building.
Thanks

Jennifer Wadsworth

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Location: Phoenix, AZ (9b)

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posted 11 years ago

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Hi Chris:

I have no experience with this but I did just read an article on a use for live willows here: http://permaculturenews.org/2014/01/25/tunneling-school/

This group builds living tunnels for schools out of willows.

Subtropical desert (Köppen: BWh)
Elevation: 1090 ft Annual rainfall: 7"

Cortland Satsuma

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Location: (Zone 7-8/Elv. 350) Powhatan, VA (Sloped Forests & Meadow)

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posted 11 years ago

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I would think you could build the bones of one with willow and under plant with a thorn shrub. What is will keep in / out is the bigger question. If it is more of a human barrier you will be fine. I would do a two row close stagger and weave across one skip (vs how the tunnel is).

Action Helps...One Soul with Courage is a Majority. Success is a Journey, not a Destination See the Reaching! A Pessimist Sees the Difficulty in Every Opportunity...an Optimist Sees the Opportunity in Every Difficulty! -Whispers of Eden

chris spaugh

Posts: 14

Location: Athens, Ga moving to Little River, SC soon

posted 11 years ago

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Thanks for the responses, I am going to go ahead and try it. I like the living structure, it has quite a nice appeal to me.
If it takes more work so be it. I am not trying to keep anything caged in or out.

Jerry Ward

Posts: 279

Location: S.E. Michigan - Zone 6a

posted 10 years ago

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Osage Orange is reported to make an excellent living fence. It is reported to be “horse high, bull strong and pig tight". I haven't done this yet but plan on it.

Starting on developing a 10 acre permaculture homestead in a sub-urban area. see http://www.my10acres.info

John Polk

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Location: Currently in Lake Stevens, WA. Home in Spokane

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posted 10 years ago

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Weeping willow is one of the finest shade trees, once mature.
However, they are massive, unlike the willows used to weave fences.

They grow well with moist soil.
They are common along creeks and ponds, but scarce (and scrawny) in drier soils.

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Cj Sloane

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Location: Vermont, off grid for 24 years!

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posted 10 years ago

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I don't think you want the weeping type for a fence. Here's a great page that list varieties for various purposes. I bought 2 Matsunda types for fodder for my livestock this year and they are off to a great start

My project thread
Agriculture collects solar energy two-dimensionally; but silviculture collects it three dimensionally.

chris spaugh

Posts: 14

Location: Athens, Ga moving to Little River, SC soon

posted 10 years ago