Willow Growing Workshop
Friday 20th February 2026
10am – 4pm
Held at Cherry Tree Willow, Ainsworth, Bolton.
 
Rainy has been growing and using willow for almost 20 years. From making willow bases and others items for floristry and decoration, to sheep fodder, fencing and logs for the fire, she will share her experiences of growing willow on a small but functional scale.
 
This day workshop is ideal for anyone curious about willow and how it can be used, whether thats for basketry, pretty catkins in your floristry, garden hedging or bank stabilisation. At the end of the day you will have sufficient information to confidently create your own willow bed or plantation suited to your own specific needs.
On the day, after a welcome drink, we'll head outside to see the willow in situ, cut some rods, look at a large living willow structure, chat and plant some cuttings.
Inside in the warm, discussion will take place around willow varieties and their uses and we'll take a look at willows place in the history books. 
We'll also look at :
willow for floristry and craft [discussion only]
coppicing and pollarding
plant health
grading
prepping planting areas
site considerations
biofuel
 
As the group will be small there will be plenty of opportunity for questions.
We will be working partially outside where it will almost certainly be cold and wet. Please dress appropriately.
You will take home lots of new knowledge and 10 willow cuttings of your choice to plant at home.
 
This is NOT a willow weaving workshop. 
Refreshments and a vegetarian lunch are provided. 
Directions and more details will be sent upon booking.