Wind in the willows? Youbetcha!

The Youbetcha Castle, MN Landscape Arboretum
Photo: Jason Boudreau-Landis

This year, artist Patrick Dougherty created the Youbetcha castle built on Scarecrow Hill at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Ever wonder where all those willow branches came from?

They were actually part of a research project between University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Funded by MNDOT, the willows were grown in ditches as living snow fences, cut and transported to the Arboretum for Dougherty's Youbetcha castle.

Read more: The Willow Story

Author: Julie Weisenhorn, Extension Educator - Horticulture