How to Make a Willow Garden Arch

There are over 400 different types of willows (Salix) trees. Virtually any type of willow tree can be used to construct a garden arch. Curly and contorted varieties have unusual growth characteristics that add visual interest to your garden arch project. It is fairly inexpensive to add a willow garden arch to your home landscape. If you have access to some good-sized willows trees, the method is quite simple. You can use a pattern -- or modify one to suit your own design objective -- to create a finished arch that is both attractive and functional.

Garden gloves
Pruning saw or clippers
Heavy-duty floral wire
Metal stakes

Instructions

- 1
  Cut two willow tree branches to 16 feet in length. Select branches with a diameter of 1-1/2 to 2 inches.
- 2
  Lay the two freshly cut willow branches' narrow sides together so that they overlap by 2 feet. Wrap heavy-duty floral wire around the branches 6 inches from the ends and every 6 inches in between. Twist the wire tightly so that the branches are securely connected.
- 3
  Shape the branches into an arch. Measure the distance between the bottoms of the branches that form the arch.
- 4
  Determine the location to erect your arch. Pound 24-inch metal stakes into the ground, using a rubber mallet. Place the stakes 4 feet apart. Leave 12 inches of the stake exposed above the soil.
- 5
  Stand up your willow arch and tightly wire the base of the branches to the metal stakes. Keep the branches approximately an inch above the soil to prevent the willows from rooting in the soil.
- 6
  Repeat these steps to form additional arches. Weave and wire additional pieces of willow branches between the arches for added support.

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