Has anyone done a willow living fence?

[SweetSilver]

All those pictures are from when those fences were less than 5yo, I'm willing to bet. Let's see those fences 10, 15 years later. I love the idea of living architecture, for sure, but those suckers *grow* and they grow even more once they've put down their roots. I'm not saying "don't do it" I'm just saying "builder beware".

 

[wyoDreamer]

All those pictures are from when those fences were less than 5yo, I'm willing to bet. Let's see those fences 10, 15 years later. I love the idea of living architecture, for sure, but those suckers *grow* and they grow even more once they've put down their roots. I'm not saying "don't do it" I'm just saying "builder beware".

Do you think that they would die from the tree truncks being limited in growth area, or do you think it would become one big solid wooden wall?

 

[SweetSilver]

They would grow together. As healthy as an uncut willow tree? perhaps not, but willows are notoriously vigorous. They will survive. I think this kind of living fence is ideal for larger spaces. I would hesitate to use it for a small garden, especially one that gets water. They take a few years to establish roots, though.

 

[franklinstreetwest]

If your space is small, there are willow that don't get massive. I know, the first image that came sweeping into my head was "fence made of weeping willow breaking up sidewalk, growing into 2 foot thick solid wall of yucky rambling mess.....Aaah"

And then I remembered there are many different species in the salix genus that would stay well behaved and look nice if you planned for the mature trunk size. The first two that come to mind are dappled willow (salix hakuro nishiki) and blue artic willow (salix purpurea 'Nana'). Not to mention, why limit yourself to willow? Use fruit trees, flowering shrubs like weigela or quince, even woody hydrangea...there are so many options that would work! OOooh....cotoneaster would work great! Especially cotoneaster salicifolius! It has a "willow-like" leaf, long straight branching, pretty white flowers/red berries that follow, is long lived, quite hardy, non-suckering, and the trunks wouldn't thicken so much that you would loose definition.

Thank you for starting this thread, it has really gotten my juices flowing! I've been wanting to sculpt with living plants for a while....this was great eye-candy! Share pics if you start something!!!

 

[Mattemma]

I have some corkscrew willow. I just let mine grow tall,but with this years cuttings I will give a tunnel a try in the back.They get big fast,Would be fun,and an attractive plus for a future home buyer with kids!