Three tools for stripping willow. Two on the left are from England, and the other is homemade, two 8-inch nails wired together at the base.

The bark on willow can only be stripped in spring when the new leaves are about an inch long (heard from Maryann).

Willow is drawn through the tool butt first three or four times until it is shredded.

Like this.

The willow is turned around and pulled through and should come off in one strip.

Done.

The same technique using a different tool.

Bark coming off in one strip.

Done.

The homemade tool. Two 8-inch nailes hammered into a fence post, one half an inch lower than the other to allow the rod to enter.

Coming off in one strip.

Stripped willow and bark.

The harvest. There are probably many ways to strip willow. These are the three that I have found successful.