After pollarding some trees, there was fresh material available to experiment.
Not the best time of year for harvesting bark.
Mid-spring (May) is ideal, when the sap has risen and new leaves are well opened.
But the period for willow (Salix alba) is much wider, from April to August.
It takes some strength and effort but then you'll end up with a nice piece of bark.
Inspiration
Perhaps you remember my Neolithic beach find from 2021.
A Doggerland 'spits', you can read about it here.
There was an opportunity to join the Resurfacing Doggerland project.
The project lend the spits and I agreed to remove a small piece of material.
(as soon as I can, I'll share the results of the outcome)
When we went to Leiden in January to pick it up,
I was intrigued by these objects....
Back to DIY:
You can fold the bark and make yourself a 'bag' or 'quiver' (smile)
Have a can with rain water available to keep the branch and bark wet.
Your material will dry quickly as soon as you start peeling the bark.
If you're not sure what to do with it yet....
You can buy some extra time by preventing it to dry
.... the harvested bark is underwater now.
The largest piece is rolled with the outer bark on the inside and secured with wooden pegs.
You can dry the bark to store it for arts-and-crafts projects later. Soak it well before use.
I also tried to harvest a piece of bark from the goat willow
(aka great sallow, pussy willow, boswilg, Salix caprea)
It was really difficult, labour-intensive and not motivating at all.
There wasn't enough sap, it has been a very dry year so far.
Next spring I'll give it another go.
