preserve willow branches | willow branch crafts

How to Preserve Willow Branches for Crafts

bundle of willow branches

gathering the willow branches

pruner and gloves

stripping the leaves off

bundle of willow branches

It is easy to harvest willow twigs for crafting dream catchers, plant fillers, wreaths or even doll furniture. Willow is considered a weedy tree and is commonly found growing near water. Green branches are flexible and easy to form into circles and curves.

Determine the amount of willow branches required for your project. Doll house furniture will need thicker branches than a wreath or dream catcher.

Use your pruners to cut branches from a live tree. The youngest branches are the most flexible. You can harvest willow branches in the winter too, but a leafed out tree has the best branches for crafting.

Wearing your gloves, strip the leaves off by holding the growing tip in one hand and pulling the branch through your thumb and fingers of your other hand.

Bundle branches for circular projects into a loose circle and secure with string, twine or a zip tie. Hang the bundles in a cool, dry, dark spot to dry. Air circulation will allow the branches to dry out and not get moldy. This may take a few weeks, depending on the time of harvest, amount of sap in the wood and the humidity level.

Dry large branches in a box or vase. Make curves in the pieces as needed for your project while the wood is green. Place in a cool, dry spot.

Create your project when the branches are dry. Green wood is more likely to split and shrink so do not rush your project. For doll furniture, pre-drill nail holes in the dried wood to avoid splitting the branches.

Note:

The ground may be soft in areas where willow grows. Always use common sense when climbing on a ladder.

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