willow care

Red bush willow Willow shoots

Some people prefer to allow the willow to age naturally, willow materials age to a silver grey color, and therefore do not treat them. If you wish, can use a preservative to extend the life of the willow products, this should be painted on after the hurdle has had time to dry, depending on weather conditions a few weeks to a few months.

There are three types of preservative that can be used, a light colored creosote which has a harsher action and is not plant friendly, or a water based preservative which is plant friendly but not as effective. Alternatively the traditional method of preserving willow is to lightly paint a mixture of boiled linseed oil and traditional turpentine 50/50.