Willow Whistle

Ah the good old days, when a kid could spend hours entertained by nothing more than a stick.

In this Instructable I will show you how to make the classic willow whistle. Make one for your kids. They'll be amazed to learn that cool toys can be made by hand out of a stick.

I made a short video of the whole process. It's only a minute and half long, and makes this Instructable much easier to understand. Highly recommended.

I think most people have heard of willow whistle, but how many people have ever actually seen one? I think the art may have all but died out a generation or 2 ago. Leave a note and let me know if you have had any previous experience with willow whistles.

Step 1: Get a Willow Stick

To make a willow whistle you need only 2 things, a knife and stick.

Get a willow branch with green bark. I am sure that plenty of other tree species will work. The important thing is that you need to be able to slip the bark off the wood without damaging the bark. Try to find a stick at least 1/3 of an inch thick.

Willows love water and are commonly found along streams and ponds. You might think of a willow tree, but bush shaped willows are probably even more common.

Comments

[jamob]

I have no hickory trees near me, I cannot find any willow trees besides weeping which I don't believe is the one used in the video and elderberrys are poisonous I hear? Any suggestions on what to use or wish to correct me?

[shoemaker]

I have used weeping willow trees lots of times. They work great. However, it might not be quite the right time of year for making willow whistles. It is best in the late spring when you have new growth that is still green.

[jamob]

Oh that's great I know where a ton of those trees are! Thanks for the info!

[VikingLord13]

my stick has a TON of knots in it, is that bad? I have been trying to "twist" the bark off, and its not coming. any help?

[snoopindaweb]

Sounds kinda' like trying to slip the hide off a live Wildcat to Me..HAR.! G-g

[snoopindaweb]

Spring time also makes the bark slip loose easier. As You say, near water is best. Thank You. G-G

[woody558]

Can anyone give me a list of what trees will work?

[gonefishin1963]

i have made them out of hickory i did not know about whillow

[kobimaru]

Are there any working trees native to Houston, Texas? Thanks.

[DAxXxBOMB]

I live about a hour north of Houston and there is Bamboo growing in a few areas, you could probably find some near or around Houston, i have also seen it grow around Spring and the Woodlands so you might be able to find some there.

[yoyology]

Thanks for bringing back memories. My maternal grandfather made us wooden whistles one summer in Minnesota. He was a great tinkerer. Would have loved Instructables. :-)

[WickedFabala]

ur video is private :(

[harley_rly]

thats cool, ive gotta try this

[allen65]

I used to make willow whistles win I was a kid. But my whistles wear onaverage about 3in long by 3/8in thick the smallest Iever made was 1.5in long & 1/4in thick great  jobin telling how to do it and nice photos

[red-king]

 my father showed me how to do this last year... nice instructable.

[matrix828]

does anyone know any decent tree's in england, near welwyn garden city? i will be very greatfull :) ~Operator99

[spankysmom]

When I was little my dad used elderberry branches. He would hollow them out with a coat hanger and add holes under the V cut. This allows for several different pitches. I make them for my grandkids now. What a symphony with seven out-of-tune whistles marching around the yard. We are ready to upgrade to recorders. Your video is very well done.

[bruno13069]

We did that at scout camp one summer. I had one that you could cap the end with a finger and get a different clear pitch. We destroyed an elderberry bush in a week making these. :(

[JCLightning]

As a kid, my dad showed me how to make one but have since tried but could'nt get it to work. I thank you for the reminder. I'm sure my grandkids will thank you, also. FYI, I 65.

[g-tech]

i remember reading about these in the book my side of the mountain( great book by the way) and I've try several times to make on but didn't succeed, but i might try again with the knowledge from this structable

[killerhamster]

lol same that was an amazing book

[apareigis]

I didn't read all the detail. The best results are in spring when the sap is running. Also if you cut the wood completely at the notch (not the bark) after reassembly you can slide it in the bark ala trombone. The soft tapping crushes the bark, squeezing slipery sap between the bark and the wood. Making it easier to slip appart. Which also means its easier after a spring rain, then a dry week.

[dombeef]

Me too i was a LONG time ago .did you see the movie?

[thebboy]

love that book. i studied survival skills for a week after that book. (and that's saying a lot) great instructable by the way.

[Hellchild]

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[thebboy]

it was just a week. do you know how much motivation it takes me just to get out of my bed? i lay there until i start to starve and force my self to get up and eat. to read a book so good it can motivate me to STUDY for a WEEK is insane. besides, i was forced to read the book in fourth grade.

[dombeef]

me too

[thebboy]

ya

[dombeef]

(removed by author or community request)

[thebboy]

a school.

[dombeef]

(removed by author or community request)

[thebboy]

ok

[Hellchild]

CASEY!

[thebboy]

what, what i do?

[Hellchild]

BYAHH!!!!

[thebboy]

ok.

[dombeef]

HUH???

[Hellchild]

HUH???

[dombeef]

who is casey

[Hellchild]

Thebboy