As my screen name implies, I like making hiking sticks. I've often seen and admired many diamond willow sticks, but I've traditionally worked with oak, ash, and other woods. I've heard that there are some locations in the BWCA where deadfall diamond willow can be found in abundance. Are you aware of any such areas?

I'm just looking to find one or two pieces with which to work. Also, does anyone know if taking downed wood out would run afoul of any rules or regulations? Thus far, the only time I've taken out of the BWCA was when I broke my leg during a trip. I had a couple of splint sticks and a crutch I lashed together.

If harvesting downed wood from within the BWCA is not allowed, does anyone know any other areas that have diamond willow? Or, if you have diamond willow on your property (and you live in Minnesota, or western or southwestern Wisconsin) and would be willing to let me harvest some of it, email me. I'd be glad to make you a hiking stick or two in exchange.

I have some in my back yard you are welcome to. Lino Lakes MN
Dan Cooke
dancooke@cookecustomsewing.com

I found several areas around the northern suburbs of St, Paul that has diamond willow. Look on the edges of some of the swampy areas and you may find some in your area. They make real nice walking sticks.

tony

quote Dan cooke: "I have some in my back yard you are welcome to. Lino Lakes MN
Dan Cooke
dancooke@cookecustomsewing.com"

Dan, you're the man. That's so kind of you.

Hiking Stick,
That's very cool that you make those. I'd love to see some pics of your finished product.

How do I know if my willow is "diamond willow"?

quote BWPaddler: "How do I know if my willow is "diamond willow"?"

Diamond Willow

It really is nice wood to work with. These are some sticks I made for my wife and I for our 25th Anniversary backpacking trip.

Love the inscriptions bellolake - lucky ducks!! Where was the trip?

My wife scored a Bellolake walking stick at spring wing night. She loves it and I covet it.

Hiking Stick.....Let me know if you find enough diamond willow to make some walking sticks. I'd like to purchase one if you do.

quote Dan cooke: "I have some in my back yard you are welcome to. Lino Lakes MN
Dan Cooke
dancooke@cookecustomsewing.com"

Thanks, Dan. I'll email about connecting sometime. It might not be until spring. Thanks again.

quote AndySG: "Hiking Stick.....Let me know if you find enough diamond willow to make some walking sticks. I'd like to purchase one if you do."

Thanks for the vote of confidence. If I get some, I'll see how the first batch turns out and will let you know.

HIkingStick, I asked in a thread a few months back about diamond willow and there were some responses. Not sure if the answer you seek is there or not. I asked about it because a friend of mine out west asked me to look for some for him so he could make some hiking sticks out of it. I didn't find any. I have a whole bunch of little willows growing on my land but do not know if they are the right type or not. Haven't looked really.
You are more than welcome to stop by and take a look.
I am also interested in one of your hiking sticks made of diamond willow. I'd like to send my friend one since I didn't find him any of the wood.

quote bellolake: "It really is nice wood to work with. These are some sticks I made for my wife and I for our 25th Anniversary backpacking trip. "

Those hiking sticks are a wonderful way to commemorate your 25 years together.

quote OneMatch: "Hiking Stick,
That's very cool that you make those. I'd love to see some pics of your finished product."

+1

Would love to see some pics of your work.

One of my nephews got a quite the load off my property this past summer. A couple of branches had diameters large enough to make bed posts or lamp stands. It will be a couple years before the remaining branches with the fungus are thick enough to use. I’ll have to ask how his projects are coming along this Thanksgiving.

By the way, they are pretty common along roadsides in the northern half of Minnesota. It is easier to feel for the depressions that indicate the diamonding than to look at the branches. I wouldn’t bother with dead and downed branches as they would most likely be too dry and brittle or decayed to use.

quote luft: "

quote OneMatch: "Hiking Stick,
That's very cool that you make those. I'd love to see some pics of your finished product."

+1


Would love to see some pics of your work."

Over all the years I've been making hiking sticks, I've never thought about photographing them. I guess I'll need to start doing that.

It's mostly been a hobby to make sticks for the family, and friends who have asked. I've made one for each of the kids, some simple, some carved.

I also aquired one of bellolakes Diamond Willow walking sticks at this years Spring Wingnight. Wow it is nice.
Hiking Stick make some perdy one's and show em to us!
SunCatcher