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Bark is
an essential aspect of any tree, protecting
the delicate flow
of life up and down the thin cambium layer that lies
just under it,
between the bark and the wood. A branch flute
aught to honor and
include that important aspect of the tree, if it
can. In this Arroyo
Willow
(Salix
lasiolepis) unsplit branch flute,
measuring 23 1/2" in
length, most
of
the
bark
has
been
left on, though well sealed to prevent detachment
from the wood. Precisely tuned to a
clear, sweet, low
D# minor
pentatonic scale, modes 1 & 4, it plays two upper
octave notes as
well as the gypsy scale. Knot holes
have been
inlaid with blue turquoise. Elk
lacing
with turquoise and horn bone
beads
holds
the
bird to the nest, the bird fitted with a redwood shoe
to aid against
wetout. The
branch for this flute was gathered sustainably, with
love, respect and
gratitude, along San Marcos
Creek, in San Diego County, CA amongst a wild grove of
native Arroyo
Willow trees. California
Indians
found many
uses for
the wonderful willow tree, including bows, baskets,
shelters, clothing, fish traps and medicines derived
from salicin
in the willow's inner bark, the original
aspirin.
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