As a willow artist, soaking willow is a big part of my process. Before I can weave it into sculptures or baskets, the stems need time in water to regain their flexibility. After days — sometimes weeks — of soaking, I’m left with buckets or troughs of dark, tannin-rich water.
Rather than seeing this as waste, I’ve learned that this by-product has value. The water carries natural compounds from the willow — plant hormones and salicylic acid — which can be put to good use in the garden. For me, it’s another small but meaningful way of aligning my craft with sustainable practices, making sure every part of the process serves a purpose.
And while I create willow water as a natural consequence of my work, you can also take advantage of this method with your own willow cuttings at home.
During soaking, willow releases:
Indolebutyric Acid (IBA): a natural rooting hormone that encourages strong root growth.
Salicylic Acid (SA): which supports plant health and resilience.
These compounds enrich the soak water, turning it into a gentle but effective tonic for plants.
Once I’ve removed the willow for weaving, the water it was sitting in can be repurposed:
For Rooting Cuttings
Dip cuttings into the water before planting.
Or use it to water potted cuttings to encourage root growth.
As a Transplant Helper
Water seedlings or young plants with willow water when moving them, helping reduce transplant shock.
As a Plant Tonic
Dilute 1 part willow water with 5 parts fresh water and use it to give established plants a boost.
In the Compost Heap
Pour leftover water onto the compost to speed up decomposition.
At Birtley Woodland Art Space (my outdoor studio on the Birtley Estate in Bramley), I often soak willow directly in the lake. This naturally raises the question: Does this have any impact on the wildlife or fish?
When willow soaks in a natural water body, tannins and other compounds leach out from the bark — the same substances that give soak water its brownish colour. In small amounts, these are not harmful; in fact, they’re a natural part of many woodland ponds where leaves fall and decay.
Potential benefits: Tannins and salicylic acid have mild antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can actually help keep harmful bacteria in check. Bundles of willow can also provide temporary shelter for aquatic insects, and the small amount of organic matter released feeds the base of the food web.
Considerations: Scale matters. A few bundles in a large, open lake like Birtley’s blend harmlessly into the natural cycle. In very small or stagnant ponds, excessive organic matter can reduce oxygen levels.
At Birtley, the balance of the lake means that soaking willow is unlikely to cause harm. If anything, it mirrors what happens in nature when branches and leaves fall into water — part of a healthy, self-regulating ecosystem.
If the water you’re reusing from soaking is very dark, it’s best to dilute it before using it on plants.
If it has gone stagnant and smells unpleasant, avoid pouring it directly onto young plants — add it to your compost instead.
This is for soil and garden use, not ponds or aquariums.
For me, there’s something satisfying about knowing that the process of preparing willow for sculpture and basket making also feeds back into the land. It feels like a closed loop: willow nourishes my craft, and the by-product of my craft nourishes the garden.
And whether you’re soaking large bundles of willow, as I do, or simply pruning a few shoots in your own garden, you can take part in this same sustainable process. It’s a simple, natural step that turns something ordinary into something extraordinary — a way of giving back to the plants and soil that sustain us.