Wild Honeysuckle

[Mad Mike]

Bushcraft uses for Wild Honeysuckle anyone ?

We have an amount that needs cutting / clearing - See the Kent Meet thread


1. Getting to play with sharpe things in a good cause :D

Suggestions on a bcuk post...

[JonnyP]

Its a shame you have to clear it, it takes years to grow. You can use the dead bits as tinder, but remember it is poisonous, esp the berrys...................Jon

[Ed]

Honeysuckle will make great withy(s) for things in the garden that need to be tied up to posts etc.... and are pretty solid and strong when dried (though stiff unless you twist them to make them more pliable). I've also used the fiberous inner bark to make cordage,but its not that strong, its ok but notthat great.

:)
Ed

[Toddy]

It can be used to make rope. A piece of honeysuckle rope was found around the submerged stump of Woodhenge.
I find that to use it properly it needs to be soaked and worked like willow. Make it pliable or it'll split lenghtways. Shame to have to cut it though.

cheers,
Toddy

[Ed]

The freshly picked shoots (not the hard stems) before the flowers come out will produce a yellow dye for dyeing cloth etc.... or if you have a load, how about some simple basket weaving??

:D
Ed

[stuart f]

Hi all, the naturally shedding bark can be collected and buffed up for tinder as well. I found loads of the stuff a couple of weeks ago, i had a play around with it and it does make great tinder. If you separate the layers of bark you get a really paper thin inner bark which takes a spark first time from a firesteel. Note to self remember to bring some home next visit :rolleyes: