willow circle

Cyclical acts of coppicing have the potential to create dynamic, legible gathering spaces for plants, humans, and other animals and earthlings. Coppicing the willows involves cutting the sprouts all the way down to the stool (the flare at the bottom of the trunk). Within 5 years, the new sprouts can grow more than 20 feet tall and be harvested for countless uses. Each year in the willow circle, community members coppice two pairs of sprouting trees on opposing sides of the planted circle following the willows’ 5th year of growth. The ever-changing space hosts limitless human and vegetal events such as skill shares, coppice days, dinner parties, craft making, art exhibitions, and grassroots organizing. 

For time immemorial, humans around the world have had reciprocal relationships with the willow. Coppicing, as one such practice, generates material for building, craft, and medicine in addition to supporting ecosystem health. Highlighted in this series are just a few gardeners, foresters, crafts people, and artists who still converse with the willow to create spaces and technologies that benefit people and plants alike.