The wicked witch of the west is often portrayed as a menacing and powerful character in popular culture. One of the most iconic symbols associated with her is her broom. In the famous story "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," written by L. Frank Baum, the wicked witch of the west is depicted as a green-skinned witch who flies around on her broomstick. The broomstick itself holds significant symbolism in various cultures and folklore. Brooms have long been associated with witchcraft and magic, dating back to ancient times.

Odd-looking growth called witch's broom is not harmful — most of the time

With the branches bare, you may notice something odd on a tree or shrub — a dense bunch of twigs growing on a branch. Its evocative name, “witch’s broom,” dates to the Middle Ages, when brooms were often made of twigs and odd things in nature were assumed to be caused by bad magic.

We now know that witch’s brooms can have a variety of causes, according to Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. “It’s a symptom, not a disease in itself,” she said.

Witch’s brooms can result from a wide range of diseases or insects, and some kinds of trees are prone to them for varying reasons. For example, in sycamores, they are usually due to a fungal disease called anthracnose. In hackberry trees, they seem to be caused by the interaction of a powdery mildew fungus and a tiny wormlike mite. In roses, they are often due to a virus that infects the plant with rose rosette disease.

Parasitic plants, such as dwarf mistletoe, also can lead to witch’s brooms.

Weather can be a factor. When harsh winter cold kills off the bud at the tip of a branch from which new growth would normally form, a tree or shrub may respond with a witch’s broom farther back.

“Sometimes it’s a genetic mutation,” Yiesla said. The chance mutation changes the genes of the branch, so that the witch’s broom grows differently than the rest of the plant. Conifers such as pine, fir, spruce and juniper often have such mutations.

Plant breeders look for witch’s brooms with interesting or useful differences — for example, causing a plant to be especially dense and compact, or grow tall and slender, or have variegated leaves. A number of cultivated varieties have been developed from witch’s brooms.

Should you be concerned if you see a witch’s broom on a tree or shrub? “If it’s just one, there’s not much to worry about,” Yiesla said. “Prune it out and that may be the end of it.” Be sure to disinfect your pruning tools between cuts to make sure you don’t spread a disease.

If you see a number of witch’s brooms in a plant’s branches, it’s worthwhile to investigate the cause. “It may or may not be serious,” Yiesla said.

Much depends on the species of the plant. For example, although witch’s brooms are common in hackberry trees, they don’t usually affect the tree’s growth or health. In roses, on the other hand, rose rosette disease is deadly.

A professional arborist will know which tree species are prone to witch’s brooms and why. “An arborist also can help you figure out whether it’s worth pruning them out,” Yiesla said. “Sometimes you’ll disfigure the tree more by pruning than by letting them be.”

For tree and plant advice, contact the Arboretum’s Plant Clinic (630-719-2424 or [email protected]).

Wicked Witch of the West's Broom

Not having access to a 6 foot lathe, I had to get creative. I found a bun foot at Rockler that is very close to the turning on the witch's broom. I had to cut the top part off and drill out the center, but it worked.

The rest of the broom is a wooden closet rod (shaped with a spokeshave), leather, aluminum flashing, and grass from Pottery Barn.

ETA: I'm not happy with the handle and it needs more "pouf" under the leather bands. They are on my list to fxi someday. I know the grass is too long, but it breaks off and sheds like you wouldn't believe. I figure some day it will be the right length on its own.

I also posted a pic of the hat in the Costuming forum.

Cleverlilminx

Well-Known Member

Apollo

Legendary Member

My Ex will be phoning shortly she needs a new one.

Seriously though great job on a cool prop from a classic!!

Bilbo Baggins

Well-Known Member

Not too shabby at all :thumbsup

I have seen some old flat-shovel handles that have that bulb-end that may work.

MaulWalker

Sr Member

Not too shabby at all :thumbsup

I have seen some old flat-shovel handles that have that bulb-end that may work.

I thought of that, but the shovel handles aren't long enough. But I did take a piece of brown paper, laid it out on the floor of Home Depot, and traced a shovel handle. I just haven't used the pattern to modify the handle yet.

Probe Droid

Master Member

MW: Nice job.:thumbsup

Bilbo Baggins

Well-Known Member

I thought of that, but the shovel handles aren't long enough. But I did take a piece of brown paper, laid it out on the floor of Home Depot, and traced a shovel handle. I just haven't used the pattern to modify the handle yet.

IF I ever get around to making mine, I plan to sculpt the whole thing from a 4"x4"x8' ..using a reciprocating saw, files and sandpaper.
It's crude, but, I've used that method to make a totokia war club and I was very happy with the results. ..not very safe..but, got the job done.

hansicle

Sr Member

It's been a while , but when I saw this thread a while ago, I thought it would be neat to make a broom myself. I thought it would make a unique gift for my Mom for mother's day , since she loves the Wizard of OZ, and I already gave her a pair of ruby slippers a few years back.

This is what I managed to do

I noticed while going through the DVD for screen caps, there must have been several different brooms used as the webbing changes size. The burnt broom has a much wider webbed portion, similar to what I replicated, but the pictures from the Munchkin village, the webbing is shorter. Even in the scene where she lights it on fire, the bristles look more like coarse straw, while in others, it drops like grass.

I kinda made my broom a mish mosh of the various incarnations.

Smiling Demon

Sr Member

**Miketrixx**

Active Member

nice work you've done there

MaulWalker

Sr Member

I noticed while going through the DVD for screen caps, there must have been several different brooms used as the webbing changes size. The burnt broom has a much wider webbed portion, similar to what I replicated, but the pictures from the Munchkin village, the webbing is shorter. Even in the scene where she lights it on fire, the bristles look more like coarse straw, while in others, it drops like grass.

I kinda made my broom a mish mosh of the various incarnations.

The variations drive you crazy, don't they? Your version looks very nice.

To keep my grass version from being so floppy, I went to a craft store and found small, thin branches. I inserted about five of those into the end of the dowel rod and cut them so they were about seven inches long. They help keep the grass from flopping over so close to the wrapping.

Funky

Master Member

It's been a while , but when I saw this thread a while ago, I thought it would be neat to make a broom myself. I thought it would make a unique gift for my Mom for mother's day , since she loves the Wizard of OZ, and I already gave her a pair of ruby slippers a few years back.

This is what I managed to do

I noticed while going through the DVD for screen caps, there must have been several different brooms used as the webbing changes size. The burnt broom has a much wider webbed portion, similar to what I replicated, but the pictures from the Munchkin village, the webbing is shorter. Even in the scene where she lights it on fire, the bristles look more like coarse straw, while in others, it drops like grass.

I kinda made my broom a mish mosh of the various incarnations.

DIY Wicked Witch Broom

This full size broom will definitely catch your neighbors eyes! It might look like a difficult project but between my step by step post below and my video above, you can do it!

Brooms have long been associated with witchcraft and magic, dating back to ancient times. In European folklore, witches were thought to ride broomsticks to travel to their meetings with other witches or to fly to places of their choice. In the case of the wicked witch of the west, her broom represents her powers and abilities.

Step 1: The Start

I put an 8' long 2x6 in my super clamp. I then use a 36" ruler to start laying out the broom on the center line of the 2x6. I draw a line on both sides of the ruler all the down it. This will be the bottom of the broom.

It is through her broom that she is able to travel swiftly and freely, giving her an advantage over her enemies. The broomstick is also a tool of her trade, as it allows her to perform spells and conjure up dark magic. Furthermore, the broomstick serves as a visual representation of the wicked witch's character. It is a physical manifestation of her wickedness and serves as a reminder of her evil intent. The broomstick becomes a symbol of fear and power, reinforcing her status as a formidable antagonist. Throughout the story, the wicked witch of the west is seen riding her broomstick, further establishing her presence as a force to be reckoned with. Her ability to fly on her broomstick adds an element of mystery and magic to her character, making her even more intimidating. Overall, the wicked witch of the west's broom is not just a simple mode of transportation or a prop, but rather a symbol of her powers, her persona, and her role as a villain. It represents her fearsome character and adds depth to her portrayal in "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" and subsequent adaptations..

Reviews for "Unlocking the Mysteries of the Wicked Witch of the West Broomstick"

1. John - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with the "Wicked Witch of the West Broom." First of all, the broom didn't even work properly. It would constantly lose power and stop in the middle of a flight. Also, the handle was so uncomfortable to hold, it made flying an absolute nightmare. The design was lackluster and definitely not worth the price. Overall, I regretted my purchase and would not recommend this broom to anyone.

2. Sarah - 2 stars - The "Wicked Witch of the West Broom" was a big letdown for me. I was hoping for a high-quality and durable broom, but this one fell short. The bristles kept shedding and the broomstick itself felt flimsy. It didn't provide a smooth and enjoyable flying experience. The broom also lacked any unique features or extras, making it a rather dull purchase. I'd suggest looking for a better broom option if you're in the market for one.

3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high expectations for the "Wicked Witch of the West Broom," but it failed to meet them. The broom was difficult to control and didn't provide stable flight. It felt like riding a wobbly bicycle rather than gliding through the air. The broom's design was also underwhelming, lacking any distinctive or eye-catching elements. For the price I paid, I expected better quality and performance. Unfortunately, I regretted purchasing this broom and wouldn't recommend it to others.

4. Michael - 3 stars - While the "Wicked Witch of the West Broom" wasn't terrible, it didn't live up to the hype for me. The broomstick was average at best, lacking in stability and comfort during flights. The design was uninspiring, and I found it to be rather basic compared to other brooms on the market. Additionally, the broom required frequent maintenance, which was a hassle. Overall, I wouldn't say it was a complete disappointment, but there are certainly better broom options available.

The Evolution of the Wicked Witch of the West Broom in Pop Culture