Withy

Withy

Withy is the name given to strong flexible willow stems that are typically used in thatching and for gardening. An advantage of using this type of material is said to be a greater resistance to woodworm.

Several species and hybrid cultivars of willows are grown for withy production; typical species include "Salix acutifolia, Salix daphnoides, Salix × mollissima, Salix purpurea, Salix triandra", and "Salix viminalis".Meikle, R. D. (1984). "Willows and Poplars of Great Britain and Ireland". BSBI Handbook No. 4. ISBN 0-901158-07-0.]

The term is also sometimes used to describe any type of flexible rod used in rural crafts such as hazel or ash.

Places such as Wythenshawe and Withy Grove in Manchester take their names from the willow woods and groves that grew there in earlier times. The Somerset Levels is now the only area in the UK where basket willow is grown commercially.

ee also

*The Bitter Withy
*Willow Man

References and external links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/southwest/series5/thatch_terminology.shtml BBC Inside Out - Thatching Terminology]


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  • Withy — With y, n.; pl. {Withies}. [OE. withe, wipi, AS. w[=i]?ig a willow, willow twig; akin to G. weide willow, OHG. w[=i]da, Icel. v[=i]?ja, a withy, Sw. vide a willow twig, Dan. vidie a willow, osier, Gr. ?, and probably to L. vitis a vine, viere to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Withy — With y, a. Made of withes; like a withe; flexible and tough; also, abounding in withes. [1913 Webster] The stream is brimful now, and lies high in this little withy plantation. G. Eliot. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • withy — O.E. wiðig willow, willow twig, from P.Gmc. *withjon willow (Cf. O.N. viðir, Dan. vidje, O.H.G. wida, Ger. Weide willow ), from PIE *wei ti , suffixed form of root *wei to bend, twist (Cf. Avestan vaeiti osier, Gk …   Etymology dictionary

  • withy — [with′ē, with′ē] n. pl. withies [ME < OE withig, willow, twig of willow: for IE base see WITHE] a tough, flexible twig of willow, osier, etc., used for binding things; withe adj. tough and flexible; wiry …   English World dictionary

  • withy — sb. == halter of withy. Alys. 4714. AS. wíðie …   Oldest English Words

  • withy — I. noun (plural withies) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wīthig; akin to Old High German wīda willow, Latin vitis vine, viēre to plait more at wire Date: before 12th century 1. willow; especially osier 1 2. a flexible slender twig or… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • withy — /widh ee, with ee/, n., pl. withies, adj., withier, withiest. Chiefly Brit. n. 1. a willow. 2. a pliable branch or twig, esp. a withe. 3. a band, loop, halter, or rope of slender twigs; widdy. adj. 4. made of pliable branches or twigs, esp. of… …   Universalium

  • withy — 1. adjective /ˈwɪð.i,ˈwɪθ.i/ Flexible, like a withe. Syn: flexible 2. noun /ˈwɪð.i,ˈwɪθ.i/ a) The osier willow (Salix viminalis). b) A lon …   Wiktionary

  • Withy — A flexible branch of the willow used for tying and binding. Cf. Laqueus …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • withy — n. willow tree; sprout, sprig, shoot adj. made from sprouts, made from sprigs; flexible, pliable …   English contemporary dictionary

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