Weeping Willow - The Perfect Landscaping Tree?
In all my years of landscaping not only my yard but countless others, I have found that there is one tree that I consistently love to work with.
The weeping willow, both standard species and its relatives, are a joy to work with.
They can grow in many different soil types, be any size or configuration you enjoy, have a fascinating history and can even help your headache.
It's graceful branches dramatically reaching toward the earth have inspired poets and have been a subject of mythology for thousands of years.
It has been a fascination with poets and scholars alike.
Authors from Hans Christian Anderson, William Shakespeare, and J.
K.
Rowling have mused about the grand willow.
Willows have appeared in the Bible, ancient Persian literature, old Japanese fables, Native American mythology and even in J.
R.
R.
Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
There are about 400 different species that form the genus Salix.
They primarily can be found in moist soils and temperate regions of the northern hemisphere.
Willows have abundant, watery sap.
Their bark is soft, flexible with tough wood underneath.
Their roots are often large, fibrous and quite invasive.
It is always a good idea to plant them away from underground pipes and foundations.
One reason I love working with weeping willow trees is the fact that you can plant them almost anywhere.
They prefer moist soils but they can grow in a variety of conditions including acidic, alkaline, moist, rich, sandy, and even clay soils.
They especially enjoy having "wet feet" and can be planted in areas that usually hold standing water.
Willows can be ordered from a nursery that is out of state and survive the trip to your front door.
With a little tender loving care they will grow and prosper.
The most care has to be given if planting in a dry area with little rainfall.
The most important care will be to water the young willow consistently for the first two to three years.
The trick is to water for long periods of time so the water penetrates deep into the soil.
I have found that (depending on the climate) watering 2 times a week for approximately 3 hours will train the roots to dig deep.
What you what is the roots to find natural water sources at a deeper level.
Do not water frequently for short periods of time.
This will train the roots to stay shallow.
Another reason I really enjoy working with this storied tree is that they are very fast growing.
In the first year they might grow 3-4 feet Each year you can count on at least 2-3 feet of vertical growth.
If you have a large area to fill out a weeping willow tree will grow to 30-40 feet of vertical growth.
The graceful drooping branches will shade large areas if desired.
If you want to shape without the bulk, prying and shaping these trees are extremely easy.
They will forgive an improper trim and if need be they can be propagated with just c clipping.
Simply cut a branch of young growth 2-3 feet long and put it in a container of water.
In about 2-3 weeks you will see roots growing from the base.
When there are adequate roots you can plant the branch in a pot.
The weeping willow tree is mainly valued for its ornamental value.
Although it has a long list of medicinal and commercial uses.
Aspirin was developed from the bark of the white willow.
The bark contains a material called salicylic acid.
It has also been use for inflammation, heartburn, stomach pain, and certain types of bleeding.
Throughout the years its branches have been used for fish traps, furniture, boxes, broom handles, and flutes.
It is also a favorite for making baskets.
When customers ask my opinion on what trees they should include in their landscaping plan you can be sure that some variety of the weeping willow tree is at the tip of my tongue.
Ralph Philips Complete information on weeping willow trees.
Weeping Willow Trees
The weeping willow, both standard species and its relatives, are a joy to work with.
They can grow in many different soil types, be any size or configuration you enjoy, have a fascinating history and can even help your headache.
It's graceful branches dramatically reaching toward the earth have inspired poets and have been a subject of mythology for thousands of years.
It has been a fascination with poets and scholars alike.
Authors from Hans Christian Anderson, William Shakespeare, and J.
K.
Rowling have mused about the grand willow.
Willows have appeared in the Bible, ancient Persian literature, old Japanese fables, Native American mythology and even in J.
R.
R.
Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
There are about 400 different species that form the genus Salix.
They primarily can be found in moist soils and temperate regions of the northern hemisphere.
Willows have abundant, watery sap.
Their bark is soft, flexible with tough wood underneath.
Their roots are often large, fibrous and quite invasive.
It is always a good idea to plant them away from underground pipes and foundations.
One reason I love working with weeping willow trees is the fact that you can plant them almost anywhere.
They prefer moist soils but they can grow in a variety of conditions including acidic, alkaline, moist, rich, sandy, and even clay soils.
They especially enjoy having "wet feet" and can be planted in areas that usually hold standing water.
Willows can be ordered from a nursery that is out of state and survive the trip to your front door.
With a little tender loving care they will grow and prosper.
The most care has to be given if planting in a dry area with little rainfall.
The most important care will be to water the young willow consistently for the first two to three years.
The trick is to water for long periods of time so the water penetrates deep into the soil.
I have found that (depending on the climate) watering 2 times a week for approximately 3 hours will train the roots to dig deep.
What you what is the roots to find natural water sources at a deeper level.
Do not water frequently for short periods of time.
This will train the roots to stay shallow.
Another reason I really enjoy working with this storied tree is that they are very fast growing.
In the first year they might grow 3-4 feet Each year you can count on at least 2-3 feet of vertical growth.
If you have a large area to fill out a weeping willow tree will grow to 30-40 feet of vertical growth.
The graceful drooping branches will shade large areas if desired.
If you want to shape without the bulk, prying and shaping these trees are extremely easy.
They will forgive an improper trim and if need be they can be propagated with just c clipping.
Simply cut a branch of young growth 2-3 feet long and put it in a container of water.
In about 2-3 weeks you will see roots growing from the base.
When there are adequate roots you can plant the branch in a pot.
The weeping willow tree is mainly valued for its ornamental value.
Although it has a long list of medicinal and commercial uses.
Aspirin was developed from the bark of the white willow.
The bark contains a material called salicylic acid.
It has also been use for inflammation, heartburn, stomach pain, and certain types of bleeding.
Throughout the years its branches have been used for fish traps, furniture, boxes, broom handles, and flutes.
It is also a favorite for making baskets.
When customers ask my opinion on what trees they should include in their landscaping plan you can be sure that some variety of the weeping willow tree is at the tip of my tongue.
Ralph Philips Complete information on weeping willow trees.
Weeping Willow Trees
