Hello my friend i have a idea about your drying here in ky we have lots of river cane some get to be 2 inches when I find some to dry them strait I drill a small hole in it on the part I've cut and hang it up I've used this method with cedar it does a good job of keeping and straighten the wood and cane 😀
Hanging these is not much of an option. They dry too fast, and easily crack. The problem with diamond willow, is there is not much lignin in them, because most of the core is quite dead. I have tied them to a straight piece of wood before, and doesn't work as good as I would like either. As of late, I have made a steam bender. Leave them in there with the door open a crack in the basement to let them dry real slow, without creating mold. Then steam bend them straight when they are completely dry after about a year. Seems to work the best so far. Everything is a work in progress.
These sticks are awesome. I am a woodcarver in Nebraska. Can I get some of these from you direct? How can I contact you. Thanks for a good video. I learned a lot.
Mat F The ones I own were harvested west of Lacombe where I live. I still have all of them if your interested and ever up this way. Please text me on 403-783-9896
