Done a days course, also a wk/end both times a fantastic experience. It's hands on working with greenwood, tools and methods used a hundred yrs. or more. Advice is on hand but you are the designer to let your ideas run wild. The staff are great also the banter and there's plenty of that ! To work with wood is to harmonise with part of nature, chill let the stress evaporate and tune into natures greenwood. The feeling at the end of course is so uplifting when you see final product, that you have made. I'd recommend anybody - everybody - to try a course, I'll be back. Big Tree Society - Full marks !!
Dave

I spent the weekend doing green wood working to produce my own working horse - the whole experience was fantastic and inspirational - a must for anyone with even the slightest interest in working with one of the most beautiful material, wood in a wonderful setting and with a great teacher.
Hamish
 

Brilliant! Can't recommend these courses highly enough. I've made too chunky ash stools and an awesome willow sculptural bench to date & can't wait to discover what my next creation will be on my next visit. The atmosphere is wonderful. The teachers are always willing to help and pass on their extensive knowledge with accompanying good humoured banter. The venue @ Harestanes is magnificent. I also recommend allowing time for a walk around the surrounding area. I will be back!
Val

Had an amazing weekend with excellent tuition and I'm still stunned and proud every day when I see the chair that I made - 'that I made' is what I have to keep reminding myself. From arriving on Saturday morning and starting with logs and branches to leaving on Sunday evening with a beautiful piece of furniture. You spend the day working outdoors, with your hands and end the day with the feeling of satisfaction. I would recommend this to anyone disillusioned with sitting behind a desk all day! 
Gavin

We were up at Forest Research recently with Pete and Joe from Eadha Enterprises  They have been watching over a trial planting of Aspen clones for some years now. But the trees have to  come down to make room for building development. So the lads asked us to have a look  (well we kind of invited ourselves) to see what we could make form the timber. Here's a few images of Pete and Joe taking root cuttings for propagation back at their base. We split a few out and tennoned a few ends. We'll let them dry for a couple of months and see what we can make. Watch this space. For more information on Pete and Joes work have a loo

A few images from a rare old book of New South Wales tree carvings

Brrrrr ..... freezing cold day here at Buy Design Gallery for the Willow Chair course but we managed to get four creations out and almost into the cars at the end of the day. Once again some really great coppicing and making skills learnt by everyone including ourselves !! Stool making day next weekend (Easter weekend) still not above freezing but at least we haven't got the snow that some woodlands had through in the south west of Scotland. Got sent some images of a hill fire up in Knoydart last night - they got it under control and everyone safe - what's going on with this weather ???
A Big Tree thanks to Harestanes Countryside Visitor Centre for letting us cut some of their willow. Our beds up at Wooplaw Community Woods were under 2 ft of snow !
Keep an eye on course that the girls at Harestanes run Willow Weaving weekends April 4th / 5th and Garden Supports May 4th / 5th Booking advisable and phone 01835 830306

Great day and great effort put into making Shave Horses by Martha, Fiona, Karin and Graham. Really good technical skills shown here by this lot. I am absolutely sure that we will see some amazing stools and chairs being produced by the Big Tree pals. Well done guys !