How much maintenance do willow structures need ?
New growth will start in the Spring and it should be long enough in early summer to start to weave it in and out of the structure. If you prefer the ‘shaggy look’ you can just weave a little in or you can keep on top of it for a neater shape – even if you choose the latter option, it can be done as you are using the structure/walking past it and it would only be a few minutes a week – if that. Then in the winter (when the leaves are off and it is easier to see) you can weave in as much growth as you wish to/need to, to keep the structure in good shape, and then cut off the rest. This might take 1/2 an hour to an hour. You might find it helps, during the late summer, to cut off any thicker/longer new growth you haven’t woven in at the very top of a dome or tunnel that will no longer bend down easily to weave in – if left it may be caught by the autumn winds and rock the structure about. If you are planting a Fedge, it will put on top growth and side growth. Ideally, you will weave in th
