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Somerset Willow Guide
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The low floodplain of the Somerset Levels has always been ideal for willow growing.
Willow has been found woven into prehistoric track ways and into baskets and hurdles on Iron Age and Roman sites in the region. In the 19th century thousands of acres of willows were planted on the Somerset Levels to meet the growing demand for baskets in Industrial Britain. Basket-making became an important trade in and around Taunton, Bridgwater and Street.
Today there are still families who traditionally farm willows and basket-makers who weave shopping baskets, pigeon baskets, laundry hampers and cribs for babies. Willow growers continue to grade their willows by hand and now send bundles by courier to customers world-wide.
Basket-makers have expanded their repertoire to include willow coffins, conservatory furniture and contemporary structures and hurdles for the garden. Willow sculptors create monumental willow effigies, the most notable being The Willow Man on the M5 by Serena de la Hey. River banks are reinforced with woven living willows to stop erosion.
For more information about the history of Somerset willow, growers, makers, artists and courses download the latest Somerset Willow Guide.
