Diamond Willow

[Mryooper]

Hello,
I was at a carving show last weekend and seen some walking sticks made out of a wood called Diamond Willow. I researched on the net and got a good idea what it is, I looked locally near all the swamps I pass and all I seen was tag alder! is this what diamond willow is? cause if that is the case we have it here as well in upper Michigan. Could one of you fine people give me a hand at trying to locate this or a idea where to locate it locally.
mryooper

[big_Wayne_P]

contact Gene

http://diamondwillowwood.tripod.com/

[AlArchie]

There's TONS of the stuff in the UP. You will be apt to find it growing in with the tag alder, but it is not the same stuff. The alder has a fairly smooth bark and the willow a heavilly furrowed bark. The willow also grown in clumps that look like the stems of flowers in a vase; all pretty much together at the ground level and spreading out as they go up. If you look closely at the bark, you will see hollow depresions in the bark, the diamonds.

The alders grow in "sort of" clumps, but the bases of the growth are spaced farther apart. The willow also usually has a growth of moss on the trunks. Once you spot a clump of it, you will know what it is.....pretty distinctive.

Check along the old RR grades and snowmobile trails...lots of it there.

Al

[Mryooper]

I see alot along the creek beds that I can see from the road. I guess when spring finally finds us here in the U.P! I will venture out before the ticks and skeeters get bad. Al as you know snow tonight ehy?just a dusting now , but we are going to get up to 8" they say. Also thanks big_wayne

[DiamondWillow]

I will try to help you out on Diamond Willow as best that I can. I have had people from Michigan tell me that they do have some diamond willow there, however, they also tell me that is does not have real good diamonds. I do not know that from personal experience. I have 3 real good customers there that I send a bunch of DW to each year, so they are not going out and cutting or do not have an area to cut. I don't know which it is.

Look along a river, or edge of a swamp, just where the water quits and hits a little higher ground.
If you will look at
http://diamondwillowwood.tripod.com and look under photos or pictures you will see some of the diamond willow trees or bushes on my property and there is also a picture of what the swamp looks like. Hopefully this might help you out a little bit.

I am sold out for the winter so I can't even try to sell you any. )

Gene

[Mryooper]

Here in the U.P and being next to Wisconsin we have alot of sloughs and back waters as well as swamps. I did notice some odd looking brush with the tag alders the otherday, but not to sure if they are the willows. I might take a little ride tomorrow and check it out again. I need to go back threw that area anyways to pickup my check. Thanks Diamond willow and I will check out the link as well.

[Mryooper]

Well gentlemen! thanks for your advice . I made a trip today and located some Diamond willow. I notice it has a tendecy to look like cedar in color when stripping the bark. Ok my next question is, what is the next step for removing the bark ? Do I strip it off or let it dry first. Its to late for one of the willows. I had to check it out lol Thanks again for your help in me locating and know what to look for.

[AlArchie]

You can just let the sticks dry for a month or so before you start carving or strip the bark first, then set it aside to dry. It's a LOT easier to strip the bark while the wood is green, and even more easy in the spring after the sap is up, but then it takes a mite longer to dry. If I strip the bark first, I usually seal the ends of the sticks with melted parafin wax. Helps keep the checking to a minmum.

Have fun, it's a neat wood to carve!

Al

[Hugh]

I found a nice bunch of d w sticks the other day, but had no wax. The wife was at work, and I found a nice supply of scented candles. Got to tell ya they work just fine. I can put this on here, as she dosent bother with the computer.






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[AlArchie]

Are you SURE, Hugh? Sure hate to see this site the cause of a major domestic dispute!

Al