Читать книгу Coconut Palm Frond Weavng - William Goodloe - Страница 9

-2-

The Coconut Palm Frond

This book is devoted primarily to the weaving of articles using coconut palm fronds. Many other types of palms may be used for weaving; however, the coconut palm seems to be the most versatile. Once a person becomes proficient in weaving the coconut palm frond, his ingenuity and individuality will enable him to use other types of palms and palmettos.

Having the right raw materials is one of the most important requirements for weaving. There are innumerable variations in fronds, which you will recognize after weaving a few items. The leaves of fronds which have fallen to the ground or are growing near the ground have become brittle and usually have been damaged by the wind. The frond which grows upward in the exact center of the tree is very tender, with yellow or cream colored leaves which are too soft to make a good or lasting article. This center frond (called the bud) and the one next to the center should never be cut as cutting may kill or damage a tree. The most desirable palm fronds are the second or third fronds from the center. These fronds are young enough to have escaped damage from the wind, insects, and disease. In addition they are not easily broken while weaving, as they are still pliable.

The most arduous task of coconut palm frond weaving is getting the proper frond, which as you can surmise, is best accomplished by climbing a tree. After cutting fronds from the available low trees, all others may seem beyond easy reach. Some coconut palms rise to a hundred feet and climbing the tall ones is not for amateurs.

Please remember palm trees are beautiful and they are for everyone to enjoy, so make it a hard and fast rule never to cut more than one frond at a time from a tree. The second frond should be cut only after several new fronds have grown and this usually takes three to four months.

Fronds differ in many ways. Some are very large with long broad leaves. These are suited for making large articles. Others are small and have narrow leaves which are most suitable for small, delicate articles. There is a great variation in the spacing of leaves along the stem of palm fronds from different trees. Some fronds may have almost twice as many leaves as others along an equal length of stem. All of these points about the frond, which seem confusing now, will become very clear to you after you have woven several articles. You will see that wide fronds with leaves spaced far apart are needed for specific articles and, for others, just the opposite kind of frond is required.

As you can see, it is best to decide what you will be making before you cut a frond. Also, before cutting any frond make a close inspection. If this reveals that the ribs have been broken and the leaves have dead spots, the frond should not be cut. Maybe next month the frond nearer the center will be a choice one, so for now bypass that tree and look for another frond.

A sharp knife, a tree saw, or a machete may be used to cut the stem a foot or two from the trunk. This is best accomplished by bending the frond downward, then cutting the top fibers while they are under tension.

By using a tree saw with a long handle it is possible to secure a frond from a tree without having to climb it.

It might be helpful to enlist the aid of the neighborhood tree climber and have him cut a frond for you. You may find he would like to learn palm frond weaving too. This is a perfect family activity, as there are many articles that each member of the family will enjoy.

Fig. 1. The coconut palm.