osier

Osier is the flexible, light-colored shoots of certain willow species that are traditionally used in wickerwork and basketry. The most common sources are Salix viminalis, the common osier, and related willows such as Salix alba and Salix triandra, whose straight, slender branches are prized for weaving. The term osier also refers to the material produced from these shoots, typically long, pliable canes that can be split or peeled for different weave techniques.

Osier is produced from willow coppice beds. Willow trees are regularly coppiced; after cutting, new shoots regrow rapidly, allowing repeated harvests on cycles of two to five years depending on diameter targets. Plants are often grown in damp soils, river valleys, and dedicated osier beds, with management to encourage straight, uniform growth and easy processing.

Harvested shoots are cut to length, then peeled or split to form canes suitable for weaving. They may be soaked to increase pliability or dried, and sometimes dyed. Osier is the primary material for wicker furniture, baskets, crates, hurdles, and decorative items. In basketry, different diameters are used for rims, spokes, and wefts, enabling a range of patterns and structural strengths.

Historically, osier production has been an important rural craft in Europe, with osier beds along riverbanks dating to medieval times. Modern osier work continues in traditional crafts and commercial basketry, often supplemented by synthetic fibers. Cultivation of osier also supports biodiversity and provides a renewable resource for wicker products.