Some notes from Basketmaking in Ireland by Joe Hogan [1/?]

Joe Hogan is one of the foremost basketmakers in Ireland. I borrowed his book from the library and took some notes.

There are four main species of willow for basketmaking. Salix viminalis (common osier, the fastest grower - up to 3m per year), Salix purpurea (purple osier - sounds like my kind of osier!), Salix triandra (almond leaf willow) and Salix alba (white willow).

There are some useful crosses. The most common in Ireland is Salix rubra, a cross between S. vimalis and S. purpurea.

S. vimalis is not native, but has been in Ireland for thousands of years. It's more brittle than some varieties.

S. purpurea is tougher and woodier. Rods are thinner than most species. Very pliable. Popular varieties in Ireland: Irish Black, Swallow Tail, Slender Tip, Packing Twine.

S. triandra is more sensitive about growing conditions, gives a good quality rod. Not common in SCA period, if here at all - it's only been widely grown in Ireland in the past 100 years or so.


Willow cultivation was probably established for hundreds of years along the Shannon, the Suir and the Blackwater.