Diamond Willow is a small tree or shrub growing along northern mountain creeks and wet areas. The unique diamond shapes are caused by a beetle first eating into the stem, then a fungus growing in the beetle's hole and expanding as the plant grows. There is a long tradition of making canes and furniture from the carved wood. Though the diamond willow is fairly common in mountainous regions, it takes hiking hundreds of miles along wilderness streams to find exceptional pieces. When a choice limb is selected, it is cut green to achieve the best color and maximum strength, then slowly dried.
Countless hours go into carving each cane.
First the bark is carefully removed exposing the irregular diamond shapes. Sometimes there is little or no sapwood. No two pieces are alike. There may be no distinct diamonds, but still a wandering and beautiful adornment of shapes. Design and inventiveness play a part, but always in following the natural harmony of the wood.