If you look at any 19th century OS map of one of the wetter parts of southern England you will find the words 'osier beds'. This was once a widespread land-use, but I confess this is the only recognisable survival I've ever seen. Osiers were small willows grown in wet situations, managed so that their shoots could be cut once a year for basket making. In earlier centuries market gardening was important in this area, produce being sent to London in locally made baskets. These days the Eyot is a nature reserve, and an effort is being made to maintain the osier 'holt' in something like its former condition.
Uploaded to Geograph by Stefan Czapski on 13 January 2011
Photo © Stefan Czapski, 13 January 2011. Licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons licence