The tree can grow up to 25 meters and live 100 years.
Features of weeping willow
One of the most common types of vegetation in the Northern Hemisphere is the weeping willow, which is a deciduous tree. According to experts, willow is an ancient tree, since some of its species existed on Earth before the Ice Age began.
People call willow broom, willow, willow, willow, etc. Weeping willow, or Babylonian willow, is a representative of woody plants of the Willow family. Its maximum lifespan is no more than 100 years.
Appearance
The external characteristics of willow largely depend on the species. Thus, the weeping willow on average reaches a height of 16 to 20 m. The spectacular crown includes long branches hanging almost to the ground. The surface of the branches is glossy green-yellow or red.
The oblong leaf plates can reach from 10 to 16 centimeters in length, while their width is only about 2 centimeters. Along the entire length of the plate, the color of the foliage is different: at the top it is greenish-gray, at the base it is dark green, and the border is pale gray.
Such a plant has catkins that form after or before the appearance of foliage. The earrings are ovoid in shape, and they grow on small branches. The earrings have an unremarkable greenish-yellow color.
Flowers, fruits and roots
The plant has a well-developed root system, so it is often used to strengthen the soil. However, the wetter the soil on the site, the weaker the development of the root system will be.
Willow produces small capsule-shaped fruits containing seeds inside. They are very small and have pubescence on the surface. The flowers of this plant are yellowish-white in color. Its flowering begins in the last spring or first summer weeks.
Description of the plant: what willow looks like
Willow includes a large number of shrubs that may have different external characteristics. This family is represented by about 300 species, most of which are cultivated purposefully. Among the characteristics of the plant, it is worth highlighting its transparent, see-through crown , as well as shoots that are quite thin and flexible.
When it blooms, small inflorescences form on the willow. Many species of this shrub can grow up to 10-15 m, while there are more impressive specimens whose height can be 30-40 m. Dwarf subspecies are also distinguished.
Spreading
Experts have found approximately 500 species of willow. Moreover, They are found in different parts of the world. However, most of them are located in the Northern Hemisphere. In nature, weeping willow is found in Siberia, Northern China, as well as in the northern part of Europe and America. This species can also be found in the central part of Russia. Most often, weeping willow is found on the coasts of lakes and rivers.
Orthodoxy and willow
Orthodox Christians use willow shoots - willow - instead of palm branches. On Palm Sunday before Easter, willow branches are blessed in churches. The consecrated willow is kept at home as a symbol of joy and health and protects the house from evil spirits. The willow was chosen for a reason. It is she who blooms in our latitudes at the time that corresponds to the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.
Palm Sunday occurs on different dates every year. It may be the beginning or end of April, but it is interesting that whenever the holiday is, the willow tree will bloom by this time. It’s as if the tree knows the exact date of the holiday.
Types of weeping willow
Like most other plants, the weeping willow has several species. Below we will describe those species that are most common in culture.
Weeping white willow
This powerful tree is resistant to frost. Its height is about 25 m. While the plant is young, it has a narrow crown. However, after some time, its shape changes and becomes spread out. The main stems are directed upward, while the hanging side shoots are directed downward to the surface of the earth. At first, the foliage is painted in an unusual silvery shade, which over time gives way to pale green. This type of willow is light-loving, but it can also grow in the shade.
Yellow weeping willow
This variety is fast growing. However, it prefers to grow in well-lit areas. The foliage is of average size - about 12 centimeters. Winter frosts do not harm the plant; it can withstand temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees. Thin shoots are distinguished by increased flexibility and light color, which is why the name of the tree is associated. Not demanding on the soil.
Dewy willow
This variety has another name - Shelyuga Siberian. The size of an adult plant is average - from 8 to 12 m. This species prefers to grow on river banks. The foliage is green in color, with the inside being slightly yellow. The color of the branches is dark brown, and there may be plaque on their surface.
Yellowbark willow, or golden willow
This powerful tree can reach 20 meters in height. It does not make any special demands on the soil and grows well even in depleted soil. It tolerates both summer heat and winter frosts well.
Willow whole leaf
This is an unusual dwarf decorative species. Its appearance is very attractive, and therefore it is often used to decorate garden plots. This species is low-growing; the height of an adult tree, as a rule, does not exceed three meters. The flowering plant smells very pleasant, and its smell is similar to hyacinth. Flowering begins in the last days of May. Can be used both for solo planting and for group planting.
Willow in the garden. 5 best types of DECORATIVE WILLOW: Goat, Hakuro - Nishiki, Nana, Twisty, Weeping willow.
Varieties and common varieties
Willows are one of the most confusing groups of trees. All species belong to the Willow family (lat. Salicaceae) of the order Malpighieaceae. Willows form many hybrids, not all of them are documented; various varieties can be found in nurseries under the same name. Descriptions and signs for identification in different sources are contradictory. Disputes about classification do not subside, and some countries have their own scientific schools of willow scientists. In this regard, many salicologists (willow specialists) express their desire to abandon existing names and give new ones with strict typing. Various types of willows are known: weeping, dwarf, tall, twisting, and shrubby. The most popular varieties among gardeners include:
- Babylonian willow (Salix babylonica) is an ornamental tree crowned with an elegant openwork crown of branches falling down to the ground. Can grow up to 12 meters. The bark is grey-brown. Reproduction occurs by staminate and pistillate flowers located on separate male and female trees. Flowering catkins appear in April-May. The leaves are light green, narrow, lanceolate, finely toothed with pointed apices. Contrary to its name, the homeland of the willow is not Babylon, but northern China. The official name of willow was given by Carl Linnaeus in the 30s of the 16th century, suggesting that it was mentioned in the description of Babylon. It later turned out that poplars (Populuseuphratica) grew in Babylon along the Euphrates River in biblical times, but the name Babylonian willow remained.
- White willow (Salix alba) - up to 30 meters high, often forms a weeping crown. The bark is yellow-brown, red and yellow branches look spectacular in late autumn and winter. For reproduction in nature it uses earrings. Male catkins have tiny flowers with yellow anthers and two stamens; female catkins have greenish flowers. In culture, propagation occurs easily; almost all planted cuttings take root.
- The weeping willow Salix alba grows in Europe, Central Asia and North Africa. It can be found in the mountains at an altitude of up to 2 thousand meters.
- Purple willow (Salix Purpurea) is a deciduous shrub with a spherical crown. Young shoots are initially purple, but become grayish-brown with age. Catkins appear every March-April before the leaves open. The earrings are reddish-purple, but become dark gray when ripe. Purple willow bark is a source of salicin, used medicinally as an anesthetic.
- Brittle willow (Salix fragilis) up to 20 meters high, often multi-stemmed. The branches are slightly drooping, brittle at the base. Willow is called brittle because it is very sensitive to wind, ice and snow. Broken branches can easily take root. Once in rivers, they are carried downstream, expanding their habitat. The weeping willow is called not only because of its drooping branches, but also because of its ability to guttate. Guttation is the removal of water in the form of droplets to the surface of the plant. High humidity leads to guttation. Brittle willow leaves are intensively gutted.
- Pendula goat willow (Salix caprea Pendula) has a tent-shaped crown and rarely reaches a height of more than 2 meters. The leaves are often used as goat feed. Decorative, unpretentious, although it has peculiarities during reproduction.
Planting a Weeping Willow
Choosing a landing site
When choosing the most suitable location for planting weeping willows, special attention should be paid to the characteristics of the soil. It was already mentioned above that such a tree can be grown in any land. However, if you want it to grow and develop within normal limits, then it is better to choose sandy or loamy soil for planting it. At the same time, its humidity can be any, but willow feels best in moist soil.
In nature, willow propagation occurs by seed. In this case, gardeners propagate the tree by cuttings or seedlings. As a rule, gardeners do not have any difficulties purchasing and planting seedlings in open ground. After all, what could be easier than purchasing a ready-made tree and planting it in suitable soil.
Willow planting
Reproduction and planting of weeping willow
It is recommended to harvest cuttings of weeping willow in winter. The best option for the cutting is the middle part of the shoot, which should not be older than two years.
In order for the cutting to take root successfully, you need to follow the following rules:
- The length of the segment should reach approximately 30 centimeters (no more);
- Planting for rooting is carried out in a greenhouse, greenhouse or heated room.
- In order for the cutting to take root and grow faster, it is provided with regular, frequent watering and loosening of the substrate. If desired, the seedling can be fed with solutions of agents that stimulate root growth.
- The piece should take root fairly quickly, after which it will begin to grow. However, at this time it is not planted in open ground. The seedling must spend one winter in a warm place. Then a year later it is planted in open ground.
Reproduction of weeping willow
Growing willow on the site according to folk signs
This tree has been revered by Christians since its appearance. Willow was one of those trees that knew how to experience and sympathize with human grief. Therefore, people believed that this tree could cure both diseases of the body and diseases of the soul. To get rid of illnesses and sad thoughts, you had to come to a willow tree, sit under it and lay out all the worries that lie on a person’s heart.
In addition, earlier, people were more practical, so it was believed that if you planted a willow tree, then it would be possible to make a shovel out of it, which would be used to dig a hole for the person who planted the tree. The only point that people did not take into account is that the tree simply would not have time to grow in such a short period of time (the exception would be a tree planted by a child).
People also argued that if you plant a willow on the plot, then be sure to be away from the window, because if you plant this tree near the window, then the whole family will be haunted by troubles and all sorts of problems. In addition, the willow grows in such a way that when planted near a window, it will completely shade it. Therefore, people who like willow, but do not want to expose their family to various dangers, should plant the willow away from the windows of the house, closer to the fence.
In the modern world, all these beliefs have faded into the background. But at the same time, the tree already has a lot of positive aspects and the tendency to plant these trees is not a thing of the past
It is also worth noting that there are so few disadvantages when growing such a tree that almost no attention is paid to them. And if they do, then as mentioned above, such shortcomings will not be difficult to cope with
Therefore, you should not think that a willow planted on a plot of land will only bring satisfaction and a lot of positive emotions to a person.
Weeping willow care
Watering
Throughout the summer, as well as on hot days, the plant needs to be watered abundantly. In dwarf varieties, on hot days it is recommended to moisten the crown itself by sprinkling. During the summer months, the tree is watered every day. And in winter it can be watered once every 7 days.
Fertilizer
Willow needs feeding immediately after planting in a permanent place and for the first time. However, fertilizing is not at all necessary. If the soil contains the optimal amount of nutrients, then the tree does not need to be fed at all.
Trimming
Not every willow can be pruned, as it can stretch up several meters (the average is 15 to 20 meters). If pruning is still possible, and it is necessary, then it is recommended to carry it out in the spring. Proper pruning has a positive effect not only on the appearance, but also on the health of the plant.
Forming the crown
If you do not prune the willow, its branches will grow chaotically, it will lose its decorative appearance, and the branches will be sparse. Therefore, haircuts are mandatory. Amateur gardeners get nice trees or shrubs after pruning, while professionals get plants of extraordinary beauty.
The first 4 years after planting the seedling, cutting is not required. The tree grows, gains strength, becomes stronger and develops. When the branches have grown about a meter, you can do the first pruning.
Mostly, pruning is carried out in the spring, but it can be done in the summer. The main thing is not to touch the tree during the flowering period. The tips of the branches are cut off by about 30-35 centimeters. It is recommended to make the cut above the bud pointing upward.
Regular pruning of branches will allow you to form a gorgeous tree with a dense crown in a few years.
Diseases and pests
Weeping willow, which grows in open ground, is susceptible to disease and pests. However, any preventive measures cannot give a 100% guarantee. In this regard, you should study in advance the problems that a gardener may encounter in the process of growing such a tree, and also understand how to deal with them.
The greatest danger is posed by diseases such as:
- black or brown spotting of leaves;
- powdery mildew;
- white heart-shaped rot (destroys the trunk from the inside);
- crown gall;
- willow scab, etc.
In order to prevent the emergence of a variety of diseases and pests, one should not forget about basic preventive measures. To do this, a thorough inspection of the willow is carried out regularly. Remove dried and fallen leaves in a timely manner, treat the tree trunk and moisten the soil only when it is really necessary.
You can prevent pests from appearing on the plant through regular preventive treatment with special products that can be purchased at a specialty store.
Pests that attack willow
Weeping willow is not often attacked by pests, but their occurrence is not excluded. There is no point in listing how many pests there are; we will discuss only the most common ones:
- Willow silkworms. The caterpillars wrap the leaves, creating a cocoon in them. They feed on young shoots.
- Willow aphid. It multiplies quite quickly, affecting not only the infested tree, but also nearby plants. It feeds on the juice of young leaves and shoots.
- Spider mite. Like many pests, it feeds on the sap of young leaves. Lives on the inside of the leaf. Over time, the leaves turn brown and fall off. If no action is taken, the tick can overwinter in tree bark or fallen leaves and begin active pest control in the spring.
- Willow grass. A white-winged butterfly that feeds on tree sap in its caterpillar stage.
- Various rodents. Capable of nibbling rhizomes. They are especially dangerous for planted cuttings.
In order for the tree to grow strong and healthy, preventive measures should be taken in a timely manner and proper care should be provided.
Meaning and Application
Weeping willow has a very impressive appearance, and it is also a useful plant. Beneficial features:
- The tree is often used as a living fence. At the same time, it provides a dense, cool and fairly large shadow.
- The plant is able to take root even in depleted soil, and it contributes to its improvement. As a result, favorable conditions are created for growing crops that are more demanding on soil quality.
- The twigs of such a plant are called vines. They are used for weaving furniture.
- Willow wood is quite popular in carpentry.
Other names
Most people call the common tree “willow,” and few people know that it has other names. And certainly no one will name all 8 nicknames of willow:
- Rakita.
- Vine.
- Vetla.
- Lozina.
- Willow.
- Shelyuga.
- Beloloz.
- Willow.
This is in addition to the Latin name of the tree - Salix, which translated from Celtic means “close to water”.
Weeping willow in landscape design
If there is an artificial pond or small river on your site, then its main decoration can be a luxurious weeping willow. This plant looks most impressive near bodies of water, which is why landscape designers often use it in their work.
Dwarf and decorative varieties of such a crop can decorate not only a garden plot, but also a house.
The mighty and beautiful weeping willow is suitable for creating any design. It not only has a spectacular and rather unusual appearance, but also helps create comfortable conditions for the growth and development of other cultures.
Willow - species and varietal diversity
Medicinal properties
Within the bark and milky sap of the willow tree, there is a substance called salicylic acid.
Decoctions are an effective remedy for the treatment of: sore throat, oral disease, pain, varicose veins. muscle fatigue.
People from different times and cultures have discovered and used the effective properties of the substance to treat headaches and fever.
- Fever and pain relief. Hippocrates, a physician who lived in ancient Greece in the fifth century BC, discovered that willow bark, when chewed, could reduce fevers and reduce pain
- Dental care - Americans discovered the healing properties of willow bark and used it to treat fevers, arthritis, headaches and toothaches. In some tribes, the willow was known as the "toothache tree".
- Inspired by synthetic aspirin, British minister Edward Stone experimented in 1763 on willow bark and leaves and identified and isolated salicylic acid. The acid caused too much stomach upset to be widely used until 1897, when a chemist named Felix Hoffman created a synthetic version that was good for the stomach. Hoffman called his invention "aspirin" and produced it for his company.
What are the baskets made of?
Due to the fact that willow shoots are long and bend well, they are widely used in wicker weaving . Interestingly, the vine is used not only for weaving baskets. Boxes, dishes, sculptures, toys and even furniture are also made from willow. It is used to make hedges, including living ones. The material is not only convenient for manufacturing, but also very affordable.
Magic and willow
Magic goes against the Christian symbolism of the willow, but since ancient times the tree was considered magical. Willow is a female tree . Witches' wands were made from this plant. And now there are a number of signs and spells using willow:
- Tying a willow branch in a knot means wealth. If money appears in the house, the knot should be untied.
- If you carry willow branches with you, the fear of death will disappear.
- Helps with unrequited love.
Different nations have their own myths and legends regarding this plant.
