Willow is a fast growing, sustainable crop, which grows well in wetland areas, Henan Gushi county is one of the best place in China. There are many varieties of coppice willow grown for many purposes, including basket making. Willow is harvested from late autumn or early winter, after the first frosts, when the leaves start to fall. Here a bed of willow awaits cutting. The variety is Salix Triandra, a popular choice for basket making, and the one we use for our baskets and furniture.Green Willow Freshly cut willow, known as Green Willow, can be used as it is, without soaking. It will remain soft and flexible for just a few weeks. Once it has dried out it is referred to as Brown Willow and will require soaking for up to five days before it can be woven with.
Buff Willow We make our baskets primarily from willow with out the bark, as in this state it is very strong and easy to work with. Boiling green or brown willow for about ten hours, allows easy stripping of the bark. It also transfers dye from the bark to the willow and produces the buff color. Hence the name buff willow.Steamed Willow If the willow is boiled for just two hours, instead of the ten required for stripping the bark, the result is what we call steamed willow. The bark becomes very dark brown, almost black. We use a lot of steamed willow for garden features and in combination with buff for our baskets.
White Willow In early spring, when the sap in the willow rises, it can be stripped easily without the need for boiling, to reveal its' natural creamy white color. It is then known as White Willow. Because there are only a few weeks during the year when it can be produced, it is relatively scarce, and is mostly reserved for cradles and washing baskets.