Willow grows rapidly and material can be harvested within its first year of growth.  These willow branches have been cut and are ready for use.  Willow can be used while green or dried and both render it with different working properties.  Photo by Lene Rasmussen at www.salix-willows.blogspot.com 

Wicker is the generic name of a range of materials which are formed into wickerwork, or objects and usually furniture. Sometimes wicker is used generically to describe basketry or objects made with basketry techniques. In fact, the word is derived from the 12th century Scandinavian viker meaning "willow branch" and vika meaning "to bend." Willow osiers are the most common materials, however strips cut from the inner stalks of rattan, paper-coated wire, plastic strips and a range of other materials have all been used.

Willow is considered the premier basket making material. Wickerwork refers largely to furniture pieces made of willow. The word probably evolved from the Proto-Indo-European *wel- describing "to turn, roll," referring to curved, enclosing objects.

Osier commonly describes a young, pliable branch or twig used in basket-work. But it is also the specific name for the willow Salix viminalis, which is considered the

best willow species to use for wicker because of its excellent pliability. The word comes from the 13th century Old French word osier or "willow twig" from Middle Latin osera "willow."

Sallow is another willow related word, specifically referring to the European willow Salix caprea that has broad leaves, large catkins, tough wood and bark that is a grayish, yellow-green hue. This is why the word sallow, when applied to humans, also describes a sickly yellowish skin color.

Willow grows incredibly fast and it is an amazingly renewable resource. If a branch from a willow tree breaks, the stem will secrete a rooting hormone, promoting its regeneration into a whole other tree. After a serious storm, the broken branches from willow trees have been known to take root after merely being stuck upright in the mud!   Not many trees are so resilient!

These wicker lamps, designed by Australian company Yellow Goat Design are made from either willow or rattan, depending on the product.  The use of compact fluorescents means these lighting fixtures don't become overheated.  http://www.yellowgoat.com.au/

Interior designers and architects are even making increasing use of this material.  Shown here is the interior of the new Camper footwear store in midtown Manhattan, designed by the Brazillian team Fernando and Umberto Campana.  Photo: Candace Thompson