It has been a while since the last blog and a lot has been happening. However a call the other day sent me hot footing to Auchinstarry to take a look at the infamous Dells.
The high winds we experienced the other week have caused a bit of upset on a few living willow structures, luckily all the installations at Auchinstarry were fine except for the Dells. I don't think the top banding is ever going to work until there is enough new growth to pull the structures in. Thankfully even with the banding being pulled about in the wind the structures are trending inwards and not pulling out. I think this is the fourth time I have re-woven the top banding, and something tells me it won't be the last.
It was a good opportunity to have a look at how the rest of the installations were doing. The take up has been good, in fact it was hard to see any failures. I am sure it helps buying in good quality willow rather than depending on material from old biomass sites. The rules of good basketry are just as applicable when it comes to living willow, selection of material is always top of the list.
