To Fedge or Not to Fedge?

That is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the willow to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fedgeune, or to take arms against a sea of fedges, and by opposing end them.

Willow fedges are living structures made from closely planted willows.  Ornate structures can be built up; chairs, houses, pergolas and so on, but in its simplest form a willow fedge is just a living fence.

Willow is a fantastic tree, designed to survive where most trees will not: both in water and the driest dust.  It is resistant to a host of diseases and pests, and it is generally easy on the eye.  All of which makes it ideal for any number of purposes. 

But, dear reader, willow grows really, really fast. Willow is a racehorse amongst trees.

And therein lies the problem.  You buy your willow cuttings (or setts), or if you are really in a hurry you can get rooted cuttings.  You plant them (following your plan) at 6-9″ intervals and you elaborately weave them in a beautiful criss-cross fence, or maybe an igloo.

Now, for the impatient amongst you, the results are super fast, almost without equal in our climate. Great!

But if you do not keep your fedge under control, within a short time it will turn into a thicket.  And then a forest.

Therefore, you should plan to hard prune your fedge about 3 times a year, and dispose of all that woody green waste. 

Here’s some inspiration to get started:

Since a willow fedge really is a fair bit of work to keep in shape, here’s video by a wise fedge-head on maintaining a mature one.

If you fancy a shot at a willow fedge use something like Salix viminalis, Common Osier, or Salix britzensis, Scarlet Willow for greens and yellows, or combine Salix daphnoides, Violet Willow, and Salix purpurea, Violet Willow, for violet and purple bark. 

Have a look at our range of young willow trees suitable for fedges.