Willow chair project V4

Growing a Willow Chair - Version 4 (started Spring 2025)

This is the willow chair I started growing in Spring 2025. It is essentially version 4, the first decent version.

The plan is pretty good, maybe great, not perfect, only time will tell.

The execution of the plan was far from perfect and I put this chair at a disadvantage getting started, but it did OK this first growing season.

This could remain a living outdoor chair, or could be harvested to become an indoor chair.

Version 4 plan includes:

Salix Purpurea Streamco (slim, uniform, bendy, flexible, easy to work with)
Whatever the stem path, they all terminate facing up (natural growth direction)
No stem bends beyond (lower than) horizontal
Some stems are horizontal temporarily, but then go up
Rubber ties to hold stems together (gentle, won't damage, adjustable)
Overlapping (parallel) and intersecting stems, secured with rubber ties, and the stems will eventually self graft together (inosculate)
Prune and plant (stick in ground) before spring leaf out (next time - missed this this year)
Plant in soil free of competition from lawn, weeds, etc. (next time - missed this, this year)
Use measuring stick to keep dimensions equal (next time - my eye is not good enough)

1. At pruning and planting - 2025-4-17

Salix Purpurea Streamco (slim, uniform, bendy, flexible, easy to work with)
The rubber ties were great to work with
I was a little late in the season, the stems had already started to leaf out, and that put all the stems at a disadvantage and shocked it
I didn't plan ahead, planting into existing turf put the willow stems at a disadvantage, competing with the grass
My eye is not good enough, I need a measuring stick
I need to think what the best dimensions are for the seat height and armrest height, recognizing I can build it up, but it is hard to lower it.

Video embedded at right, Willow Chair Ver 4 Newly Built 2025-4-17

2. At two weeks old - 2025-5-3

Growth notes

As expected, the leaves present at pruning and planting (Week 0) were then deprived of moisture with the roots having been cut off, and they browned and died.
The lawn turf probably presented some challenges too.
It was too early to tell what will survive
But as we see later, most stems did OK and recovered and pushed out new leaves.

Video embedded at right, Willow chair v4 two weeks old 2025 5 3

3. At five weeks old - 2025-5-25

Growth notes

New leaves are being formed and leafing out
[Remember that the leaves present at pruning and planting (Week 0) were deprived of moisture with the roots having been cut off, and they eventually browned and died].
These new leaves are a sign that the plant is also putting out new roots. E.g. the process of photosynthesis is happening, water is coming up from the roots and out the leaves, and the leaves are making energy from the sun and sending that down the plant.

Video embedded at right, Willow chair v4 five weeks old 2025 5 25

4. At seven weeks old - 2025-6-10

Growth notes

Notice the many stems protruding with many leaves, which are all new growth, a sign those stems are doing well.
In other words, those branches I had pruned seven weeks ago and stuck in the ground, now probably have developed some decent roots which are working, and photosynthesis is happening too.
You can see some stems are brown or black, those are dead parts that died since pruning and planting.
Some stems are green and alive lower down, but transition to dead parts.
That is expected because the parts of the plant furthest from the root "die back" first, especially in those early days and weeks where there were no roots.
One or two stems seem like they may die down to the root, or close to it.

Video embedded at right, Willow chair v 4 seven weeks old 2025 6 10

5. At four months old - 2025-8-23

Growth notes

There is still good green in most stems and many leaves, so that is a good sign, and those stems will probably survive the winter and grow strong next year.
Generally, all the stems look weak, but it has been a long, hot, dry summer, and I did not water it much.
This has been a tough first year for these stems, but most made it through.
A few stems had die back pretty far down.
One or two stems died back to the root or very close to it.
Wherever stems died back, it might be best to weave in live shoots that arise from below on that stem, or an adjacent stem.

Video embedded at right, Willow chair v 4 four months old 2025 8 23

See what else I have about nature on this site

This nature break was great, let me see what else you do

Originally posted 7/25/2025. Updated 9/28/2025.