Welcome to The Coppice: Introducing Hedgecraft Willow
Dec 13, 2024
Virens Studio is expanding our landscape and planting design business!
We’re shifting from talking about the ecological benefits of coppicing shrubs, to actually doing it. And, we’d like to give everyone a chance to get involved.
What We're Up To
Early next year, we’ll be installing a short-rotation willow coppice on our Fraser Valley farm. Planting 3000 individual plants that will provide a sustainable source of willow rods for the next 30+ years.
Enabling us to build living and dried willow fencing and structures, sculptures, basketry and furniture for our clients. As well as provide materials to local artists and craftspeople to do the same. It’s a perfect match with our eco-friendly practices and ethos; value-added horticulture, crafted through science-based techniques.
Why?
In short, we've finally got access to some land and it feels like the right time to stop talking about eco-friendly sustainable choices that we could make, and get on with it.
Acknowledging that not everything we all do is entirely environmentally minded but that every bit helps, is an important step. So, rather than feeling paralyzed due to overwhelming fear for our climate or simply not knowing where to start, we feel like it’s time to pick something that makes sense and get started.
So, here we go.
Coppicing is a sustainable, proven traditional method of agro forestry
- It can be done on any scale, from one plant to many thousands depending on the site and situation.
- Reviving handmade artisanal crafts (sculpture, basketry, fencing, hurdles, wattle, furniture etc)
- It creates local community connections and a hub of sorts (including Horticultural Therapy opportunities, a large-scale demonstration of naturalistic gardenscapes plus a space made for community events)
- Live whips make amazing living structures, sculptures and fences, while dried are fantastic for all sorts of wicker crafts, woven fences and ephemeral sculptural outdoor elements
- planting and harvest takes extra hands, so it's a good way to invite the community in and make connections
- providing materials to other local businesses (artists, construction, fencing, makers)
- building a greater connection to the land, creating resilient plantings through best practices for soils and wildlife
- adds to the experimental opportunities on the land, a kind of open air laboratory to test out varieties, materials and practices in a specific area (that can also help others down the line)
- Provides a way to transition farmland into more diverse and longterm eco-friendly use (reducing chemical use, soil erosion and compaction, pest and disease infestations while encouraging eco-functions and wildlife)
What?
Introducing, Hedgecraft Willow!
A new venture into the world of coppiced plantings and crafts.
We’re planting in a loose (not in rows) nest-like circular structure that will envelope visitors. providing an encompassing sensory experience. With an entrance that will frame pastoral views down the surrounding river valley. All, in an accessible way, bridging the space between home and swaying hay fields (as we transition the larger space over time).
The planting will also feature a unique patio space with reclaimed wood seating at its heart. Providing a sturdy multi-functional place to rest within the space using materials found and repurposed on the property.
It will follow all of the basic principles of coppicing as discussed in our article, A New Twist on the Ancient Copse. Starting with five main Salix (willow) varieties based on: diversity (material, colour, size), uses (structural, craft and wildlife) and growing conditions (suited to our fields and climate). Which should give us a sturdy foundation to build on.
Salix dasyclados - grows 6’-10’ long rods, with durable flexibility and minimal branching. Used to for living structures, furniture and fencing. This variety tolerates poor soil and even sea spray.
Salix var. 'Daves Green' - features straight 10’ rods, that dry almost black. Used for living structures and windbreaks. While any smaller, 2'-3' rods make good furniture.
Salix x 'Americana' - produces 8-10’ rods that dry a dark apple green. It's a vigorous grower with straight rods. Great for living fences and structures, basketry and crafts.
Salix purpurea 'Green edna' - grows slender flexible rods, straight, no branching and dries a light green. This one is a favourite for baskets and more delicate living structures.
Salix koriyanagi ‘Rubykins’ - Gives 4’-6’ highly flexible and straight rods that dry a yellow-orange. It's perfect for wattle and living fencing.
Where? and When?
Hedgecraft Willow will be installed and grown on our experimental farm in the heart of the Fraser Valley, on the westcoast of British Columbia, Canada.
The initial planting will take place in the late winter/ early spring of 2025, as soon as the ground is able to accept cuttings.
Our first cut and possible sales will happen in the spring of 2026. With harvests reaching their optimal size by 2028
How you can get involved
Take part in the action by giving to our Chuffed.org crowdfunding campaign (Grow Environmental Change) and consider purchasing a paid subscription to our regular substack newsletters (whatever suits you).
With a donation of any amount you can help assuage climate change while joining our growing gardening community. Why not use your money to make a tangible difference and get some great vibes at the same time?
Plus we're offering some fun bonuses, including the naming of single or families of willow plants, for as little as $25. And the special chance to place a personalized plaque on the seating at the heart of the 'nest' planting.
For updates on our progress, be sure to follow us on instagram. And, please join us (for free) on Substack at, Garden Culture by Virens Studio and Dryft & co. Two unique viewpoints of a shared journey towards ecological horticultural practice.
And, starting in fall 2025, you can pre-order Hedgecraft Willow through hedgecraftwillow.com
SJ & Alicia at Virens Studio, Dryft & co, and now Hedgecraft Willow
© Virens Studio 2023 (all photos are used for demonstration purposes and do not necessarily belong to us.)
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