One
of Louise's many interests -- going back over 30 years -- is making
functional baskets. Louise started working with white oak splints
and this may still be her favorite material. But finding suitable
small oak trees is increasingly more difficult. About 10 years ago
Louise began growing coppiced willows, with the idea of having a
continual renewable supply. The willows are ready for harvest by
their second year, and are cut annually after that. Because they
are round instead of flat, weaving willow is very different than
using splints.