"An attractive feature of the Bonnefont Herb Garden in winter and early spring is the distinctive wattle used in the raised beds. Medieval gardens, orchards, and property boundaries were enclosed in a variety of ways, including by hedges and wattle fences. In the Bonnefont Herb Garden, our wattle, or hurdles (pictured above), of various heights edge the beds and support the plants. The hurdles and supports are made from willow from the Somerset Levels (wetlands) in England; willow has been grown and woven in Somerset since the late Iron Age. Willow work is still commercially produced in the region and the same family has made our wattle elements for many years." - Maitani

"Medieval woodlands were carefully managed, producing so-called small wood by pollarding (pruning a tree from the top to promote growth well above ground level) and coppicing (cutting a tree back almost to the ground to foster new growth from the stump). Pollarding and coppicing were carried out on a regular rotation, and the resulting new growth provided a steady supply of wood for firewood, tool handles, building materials, wattle, baskets, and other purposes. The new, flexible willow shoots are known by a number of very old terms, including osiers and withies. Willow is one of several species of trees that can be hard pruned by pollarding or coppicing, and it was medieval custom to harvest willow and hazel in February. The topic of medieval woodlands and their management is a fascinating one, and I refer curious readers to the work of the late historical ecologist Oliver Rackham." - Maitani