I was out walking though my neighborhood and I happened upon a patch of some willows growing next to the side walk. It got me thinking about the versatility of this plant. There are several uses for this plant that include- finding water, medicinal properties, finding food, and making tools and weapons. This plant is very hardy, and generally grows back year after year. My grandpa had a patch in one of his fields that he would mow over with a big tractor every couple years, but it kept coming back.
Using Willows to Find Water
Willows like water, and they are often found along rivers, streams, marshes, drainages, etc. This particular bunch of willows growing along this hillside would have most people wondering where the water is. If you know the area though, directly down the hill from this spot is a spring. The local city has built a park around this spring, but I would guess that the water table or water source for that spring is pretty close to the surface at this area, and the roots from the willows are likely tapped into that water. If you’re in need of water, look for willows. If water isn’t immediately apparent to you, spread out and look for more plant growth, or it could just be below your feet. It might not be a bad place to dig for a seepage hole in a survival situation.
Willows Used in Making Weapons
As can be seen in the picture above, many, but not all, willows grow fairly straight. You can further straighten these in a variety of ways, including heat, steam, and soaking in water. This makes them a great option for making arrows. Their universality, and the fact that they grow back readily also makes them a reliable source for this year after year. Willow is my go to wood for making arrows. Here are some of the arrows that I have made with willow. I primarily hunt my advanced compound bow and carbon fiber arrows, so these have say on the shelf for the past 10 years and aren’t as straight as they once were, but they could be straightened with a little work. I wrote a detailed explanation of How to Make Willow Arrows>.
Growing up, I would also use the green limbs from weeping willows, a tree from the same family, to make a bow and arrow. The first rabbit I ever shot was with one of these bows. These bows are only really any good for about one month though. After that, the wood will start to dry out and will become brittle and break. All it really took to make one of these was a limb and a piece of string. Certainly not as accurate or as strong as my compound bow of today, but it could kill small game.
Now I make much better bows that last for years and years. I actually recently made one and documented the process for an article I wrote: Making a Survival Bow>
Willows Used for Making Tools
I have also used willows to create handles for stone hammers and hatchets. If you take some green willow and soak it in water for a while (I did it for 24 hours) it becomes even more pliable. I was able to then fold the wood over the hammer head or axe head and then bind it in place. This made for a really good method for attaching it. You can use a similar method to create snow shoes, or any other type of object made from curved wood or sticks.
Willows are light weight and are a pretty soft wood, which makes them pretty easy to work with. I wouldn’t want to make any furniture from the wood, but it does have its uses. I have used the narrow green ends for a variety of whicker type projects, including making baskets, and weaving them into the side of a shelter for increased wind protection and heat retention. Once these dry, they stiffen up pretty well and hold their shape.
Willows for Finding Game
Willows grow pretty thick and provide good cover for game. Every day it seemed like, for at least 25 years when we would go out to the willows there would be deer bedded down inside. The patch wasn’t very big, probably about 75 yards in diameter, but there could be upward of a half dozen deer in there during the day.
The willows grew up to about 10 feet tall at times, and pretty thick. Game trails would zigzag through any possible openings. The willows would provide the deer with food from the leaves, shade from the sun, and good hiding places. In that one patch behind my grandparent’s place, I found pheasants, rabbits, quail, elk, and deer. We saw sign of other game back there as well. All appreciated the patch of willows.
Willow as Medicine
Willow bark can be used as a pain medication. I’ve chewed on willow bark for a headache and from a tooth ache. You can also use this for menstration cramps, weight loss, and a variety of other uses. Willow bark contains salicin, which when used in moderation, is claimed to have few to no side effects. One article I read referred to it as nature’s aspirin. I haven’t found any sources claiming that it has healing properties, but it is a decent natural pain medicine. I’m not a doctor, so if you’re considering using it, consult with a medical professional.
Learn more of your local plants
Edible wild plants amazon search native ad. We recommend hard copies of books. In an emergency or apocalyptic situation, you may not have access to the internet.
Willows grow straight and are light-weight which makes them a good option for making arrows. They can also be found all throughout the United States. In fact, willows can be found on 5 of the 7 continents, so its a good wood to learn how to use… READ MORE
The first snare I set for a rabbit didn’t catch anything. I was about 10 and had rigged a slip knot with some bailing twine and set it on a game trail. I didn’t know if rabbits used the game trail, but it seemed like a good spot…. READ MORE
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