How to Build a Living Willow Dome and Tunnel: A Step-by-Step Guide

We highly recommend this video from Hanna Van Aelst. She demonstrates how to create living willow structures, specifically a dome and a tunnel. 


The process begins by marking a circular area and digging holes 20 to 30 centimeters deep to plant willow rods in pairs. The rods are woven together using a simple front-and-back technique, with some sticks bending right and others left to create a stable lattice.


To finish the structure, longer rods are added to form the roof, and horizontal stakes provide additional strength. While the living willow will grow and strengthen over several years, dry rods and random weaving can be incorporated for immediate stability and shape. This method allows you to build a natural, growing garden feature that becomes more durable each season as new shoots are woven back into the frame.

How do I start growing my own basketry willow?

Dried willow rods for weaving can be expensive and difficult to find. Growing your own solves both of these problems. We have over 40 basketry willows to choose from including many of the popular Salix purpurea, Salix triandra, and Salix viminalis species. Here are a few...