The Bent Tree was accidentally born in 1982 when a “how to” article in a Mother Earth News magazine inspired John Whitt to build some rustic furniture from wild willows just down the road from his farm. As a farmer with a young family, the furniture was a perfect fit for their home and enjoyed lots of compliments from friends and neighbors. Soon many of these folks also had John’s willow furniture, and he had found an interesting and profitable pastime.