I was given some inner bark of the Wych Elm tree, by local artist, forager and guru Tom. There are a few Wych Elm trees in the forest but they get Dutch Elm disease and usually die at about 15 years old. Tom had foraged and stored some inner bark from dying trees, and offered me some.
The word wych means ‘pliant’ or ‘supple’ in old English, and was used for making bows in Wales. Tom told me that his son Jazz had used it to weave a chair seat 10 years ago, a chair that’s been sat on just about every day, and it’s still going strong. So I felt intrigued.
Here I am in my back garden with a long piece of the inner bark, enjoying making it bounce, enjoying the shadows. Though it bounces easily, it’s quite hard as well. Tom had suggested soaking it for several hours, which makes it very pliable.
So I soaked it, and wow it’s a beautiful material, pliable and strong, like leather. Using some garden twine that I kept from my dear late Dad’s shed 4 years ago, I enjoyed stitching some pieces together, It’s lovely to stitch into and I did a bit of a patchwork.
I felt quite excited about using this new material, it really is beautiful to work with. I went on to make a small household plant pot cover.
I need to learn the difference between an English elm and a Wych Elm. I’m hoping to find some in flower, apparently they have pretty purple flowers.
During this time of the world changing event that we’re all experiencing, more than ever I feel we need to use what we have, use what nature gives us. I feel very lucky, I have the beauty of the Forest of Dean at my doorstep.
Thank you for reading. Sending much love to all.