Weaving willow?

[grannyjanny]

If you want to weave with willow what is the best time of year to cut it down please.

[grannyjanny]

[Obelixx]

It's usually cut in late winter/early spring in order to promote new stems for next year's crp.

I have woven fresh willow cut in spring and had to leave it to dry out as I didn't want a living willow obelisk.   I have also woven a "nest" in late autumn but this willow needed to be soaked in a water bath to make it flexible again.   

I did my weaving on day courses with a willow sculptor.   It's fun to do and very satisfying but the two willow obelisks did not stand up to the elements and lasted only 2 or 3 years so now I'm sticking wiith iron obelisks.   The willow nest is indoors and threaded with fairy lights so will probably last for years.