There are approximately 450 reference species of Willow in the World. From these, specific varieties of willow were cultivated for their long slender rods, since ancient times. Easy to cut and weave these rods were used to make a broad range of domestic goods from huts, boats, cages and traps of every kind. ‘Wicker’ varieties of Willow are still grown for their use in basket making. The use of Willow for biomass energy is the most recent application of the species and has resulted in the development of a number of biomass varieties.
The Skerries Mills Willow Garden was established in spring 2012 as a collaborative effort between Skerries Mills, Fingal County Council and GIA Consultancy.
The garden has on display a proportion of the willow collection showing examples of wicker and biomass varieties.