It grows throughout Europe, extending beyond the Urals, with the exception of the Far North. Available in many reserves of the European part of Russia, Kazakhstan, the Caucasus, the Baltic states, Crimea, Central Asia. It grows along the banks and valleys of rivers on sandy alluvium. Sometimes it forms pure stands. Light-loving hygromesophyte.
A large tree 20-25 m tall, with a powerful trunk covered with fissured, gray bark. The young branches are very impressive, thin, drooping, and silvery-pubescent at the ends. Older shoots are bare, shiny, yellowish or reddish-brown in color. The leaves are alternate, lanceolate, up to 15 cm long, silky-whitish in youth, later dark green above, bare, silvery below, silky-pubescent, which makes the tree very showy at the slightest breath of wind. Flower catkins develop simultaneously with leaves.
Grows in natural plantings on the territory of the GBS. Tree, at 26 years old, height 10.5 m, trunk diameter 26.0-32.0 cm. Grows from 30.IV ± 5 to 5.X ± 9 for 158 days. In the first 3 years it grows quickly. Blooms from 17.V ± 6 to 20.V ± 6 for 3 days. The fruits ripen in June. Produces plants from seeds of GBS reproduction. Winter hardiness is complete. 100% of cuttings root without treatment.
Twisty shape of white willow
Photo of Alexandra Menshova
It grows quickly, is light-loving, frost-resistant, undemanding to soil, and tolerates urban conditions well. Propagated by seeds and vegetatively. This plant reproduces well from both summer and lignified cuttings. The rooting percentage is close to 100. There are cases when even stakes dug into the ground take root. Lives up to 100 years.
An integral element in the compositions of large parks and forest parks located on the banks of large bodies of water. A valuable tree for quick landscaping of new buildings and industrial facilities. Used in groups and for road lining.
Decorative forms:
"Argentea". A large (about 25 m in height) tree, the flowing shoots of which are covered with silvery shiny oblong leaves up to 8-10 cm long. Later the leaves become dark green, smooth on the upper side, and remain shiny white on the lower side. Their autumn color- yellow. In early spring, when the leaves have not yet blossomed, the entire tree is covered with golden earrings and from a distance looks like a yellow cloud.
"Coerulea". A large (up to 20 m) tree, the leaves of which are colored on top sea wave, below - light.
"Limpde" - tree 20 - 40 m high. Trunk diameter up to 3 m. The crown is narrow-conical, with a diameter of 10 - 12 m. The bark is gray, dark gray, with deep cracks. The shoots are yellowish, then light brown. The leaves are lanceolate, up to 10 cm long and 2.5 cm wide, green. It blooms in April - May at the same time as the leaves bloom. Honey plant. Grows quickly. Photophilous. Prefers moist alkaline soils. Tolerates prolonged moisture, but does not tolerate waterlogging. Has beautiful shape crowns Frost-resistant;
"Tristis" - tree 15 - 20 m high. The crown is spreading, with hanging shoots, 15 - 20 m in diameter. The bark is yellowish, then brown. The shoots are yellow. The leaves are lanceolate, 8 - 12 cm long and 2.5 cm wide, green. Autumn color is yellow-green. It blooms in April - May simultaneously with the leaves blooming or a little later. The earrings are yellow. Honey plant. Grows quickly. Photophilous. Tolerates dry soils, but prefers moist ones. It has a very picturesque weeping crown.
"Sericea". A tree about 10 m high with silver leaves and a rounded crown. It grows slowly and reaches its maximum size only at 15-20 years. White willow still has a variety called "Splendes" with silver leaves on both sides.
weeping(f. pendula) - a form in which, in addition to the unique shape of the crown, the color of the bark of young (up to four years old) shoots is remarkable: early spring and in summer the bark is bright mustard, and in summer it acquires a red-brown “tan” from the sunny side. The leaves are very elegant, up to 10 cm long with a width of only 1.5 cm, with finely pointed tips, colored light green. Branches with leaves fall like yellow-green streams of a waterfall. Propagated very easily by green summer and woody cuttings. Easily withstands waterlogged soil.
Photo by Olga Blokhman
S. a. var. vitellina (L.) Stokes- I.b. yolk-yellow. In GBS since 1955, 2 samples were grown from cuttings obtained from VNIILM (Moscow) and Germany. Tree, height 7.8 m, trunk diameter 9.5/16.5 cm. Blooms in May. The fruits ripen in June. Winter hardiness is complete.
And also the forms:
yellow weeping(f. vitellina pendula) - with very long yellow shoots, extremely beautiful near the water; Britzenian(f. vitellina britzensis) - with red shoots; brilliant(f. splendes) - with leaves, silvery on both sides, silky-shiny below; gray(f. coerulea) - a large tree with obliquely upward directed branches and bluish leaves; oval(f. ovalis) - with oblong-elliptical leaves.
White willow varieties are popular abroad" Cremesina"with bright scarlet bark of young shoots and" Vitellina"with golden-yellow bark of annual growth. These varieties are pruned low after or even before flowering, as a result of which the bushes consist only of annual shoots, which allows you to admire their beautiful bright branches against the backdrop of snow every early spring. Over the summer, the shoots grow again, and that’s it repeats from the beginning. In the German company "Kordes" you can purchase varieties " Darts Snake" - a vigorous, wide bush with dark foliage and " Tristis Resistants"is a rust-resistant bush or tree with intensely colored branches; long, feather-like golden-yellow branches make the bush unusually decorative.
Decorative forms are indispensable in single, small group and contrasting plantings. Even though it's enough large plants, varieties of white willow can be grown in a small garden. Their crown can be quickly formed into a beautiful ball. To do this, simply cut the tree at the desired height. If you do not leave the trunk, but plant the plant on a stump (that is, practically cut the tree down to the ground), then you will have the same ball, but lying on the ground. By repeating this procedure periodically, you can keep the plant within certain dimensional limits. With this simple step you can place this beauty in a small area.
Growing weeping willow
Weeping willow is a woody plant from the willow family. Willow is also called vine, willow, willow. It loves moisture, so its frequent habitat is the banks of rivers, swamps and other bodies of water.
Photo and description of weeping willow
IN wildlife There are more than 500 species of willows. They grow in different climatic zones. The most common is the weeping willow.
Source: Depositphotos
Weeping willow stops growing in full shade
It grows over 25 m and lives for about 100 years. Large trunk, bark gray, crown widely spreading. The foliage is dark green, a shade lighter underneath.
Frequently encountered subspecies:
- "White" - grows up to 28 m in height, easy to care for. The foliage is colored silver. Frost-resistant, grows well in partial shade.
- "Goat" - during flowering it resembles a huge dandelion, as it blooms fluffy white inflorescences.
- “Twig-shaped” - the tree has many branches, the height is no more than 10 m. The peculiarity is the formation of small earrings in the form of a cylinder.
- "The most graceful" - the stem is shiny, brown in color. A fast-growing species that quickly takes root and takes root.
- "Babylonskaya" - grows up to 15 m in height and has a wide crown.
Any tree will look beautiful in the garden or on summer cottage both alone and in group plantings.
Growing a tree
The weeping willow tree propagates by cuttings, seeds and seedlings. In order for the plant to take root, it is planted in light, medium loamy and sandy soil. The site is chosen to be well-lit and sunny, partial shade is allowed. Necessarily close location groundwater or reservoir.
Start planting immediately after the snow melts in March or in the autumn: late October - early November.
- Dig a hole 50–60 cm in diameter and 45 cm deep.
- Make drainage: pour a 25 cm layer of crushed stone or sand onto the bottom of the hole.
- Mix the soil with peat and compost in equal quantities.
- Pour 1/3 of the prepared earth mixture into the ditch.
- Place the seedling and cover it with soil.
- Compact the soil and fill with 20 liters of water.
After planting, carefully care for the plant. Water the tree at the root frequently and generously. Once every three days - 30–60 liters of water, depending on the size of the tree. Water more often during drought.
Fertilize willow in spring, summer and autumn. In April, and then in July and October, superphosphate is added, 20 g diluted in 10 liters of water. It is allowed to use organic matter, it is first diluted, 200 ml per 10 liters of water.
Always remove fallen leaves, shape the tree crown and carry out preventive treatment with insecticides. If there are affected parts, they are immediately removed and burned.
Willow loves moisture and does not tolerate drought and shade. To grow a lush vine on your site, make sure that the groundwater is not deep. If there is a pond nearby, then there will be no problems with the growth and development of the tree.
The willow tree has about 550 species. The average lifespan of wood is 110 years. Other names for this tree: willow, broom, vine, willow and others.
Family: Willow
Class: Dicotyledons
Order: Malpighiaceae
Department: Flowers
Kingdom: Plants
Domain: Eukaryotes
Willow description:
Willow is most often found up to 15 meters in size. But the species number of this tree is very huge, and on our planet you can find willow trees up to 40 meters in height and 2.5 cm in size. Willows include both trees and shrubs. The crown of the tree is wide and large. The stem is branched, the branches are thin and flexible. The leaves are long and narrow in shape, but there are also species with wide leaves. On the outside the leaf has a more saturated green color, and on the other side the leaf is lighter. In some species the leaf edge is smooth, in others it is jagged. When the leaves bloom, there are stipules that can be used to determine the type of willow.
When does willow bloom?
Different types of willows bloom in different times. Some species bloom even before the first leaves appear in early spring, some species bloom with the appearance of leaves or already in early summer when the leaves are fully formed.
The flowers of the tree are very small and would be difficult to detect if they were not collected in inflorescences called catkins. In willows that bloom before the leaves appear, the catkins are very noticeable. All willow catkins are unisexual, that is, they contain only female flowers or only male flowers. It is not difficult to distinguish them. Male flowers contain two stamens, and female flowers have one pistil; both types of flowers have nectaries.
Where does willow grow?
The willow tree is most common in the northern hemisphere of the planet. At the same time, the willow reaches the northernmost regions. In the northern regions you can find willow no larger than moss. Loves moisture very much. Most often found in humid areas. Less common in dry areas. Due to their large and extensive root system, willows are often planted along banks to strengthen the soil.
Willow fruit
The fruit of the willow is a capsule. The willow seed itself is very small, light, covered with white fluff. Its lightness allows it to fly quite long distances. The seed itself remains viable for only a few days. But if it gets into water, it can remain viable for up to several years.
Willow propagation
Willow produces adventitious roots. Thanks to this, this tree reproduces well by cuttings and stakes. In most species, seeds can lose their viability within a few days.
In nature, willow trees reproduce using seeds, and cultural species Willows are propagated by cuttings and layering. A willow branch planted in the ground quickly takes root.
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The weeping willow is a large tree that can often be found near rivers and ponds in temperate climates. Judging by the fact that the plant feels great in the wild and tolerates heat and frost, caring for it at home will not be difficult. Willow looks great in parks, recreation areas or even in the front yard.
The tree can grow up to 25 meters and live 100 years.
What types of willow are there?
Weeping willow in landscape design- This unusual solution. Among the varieties of willows you can find both full-fledged trees with a powerful trunk and ornamental shrubs. The varieties differ because they are adapted to live in different climatic conditions:
- White willow is a tree whose height can reach 25 m. The lifespan of the variety is about 100 years. The willow is called white because its leaves are colored on the underside. light color. The plant feels good on the banks of rivers and reservoirs; it can also be planted near an artificial pond.
- Weeping white willow also has an unusual color, but differs in the shape of its crown. Its branches are long, flexible, lowered to the ground. The tree bark has a rich yellow tint.
- Babylonian willow also has a weeping crown. It can reach a height of 15 m or more, and its lifespan is about 100 years. The leaves are light, but without a silvery tint. The tree grows quickly and reaches its peak. Most comfortable conditions for his life these are well-lit shores of reservoirs.
- Shaggy dwarf willow is a shrub that does not grow higher than 2 meters. Its leaves are different from those that grow on the usual weeping willow - rounded and covered with light down. This plant can form a crown of an unusual shape, since the shoots are strong and grow upward. The shrub easily tolerates winter frosts and prefers to grow in moist soil.
- Goat willow is a distinctive tree that is often planted in parks and recreation areas. The shoots are directed downwards, and small round leaves grow on them. Flowering occurs in spring, during which time the tree emits a sweet honey aroma.
There are other varieties of trees such as weeping willow. They can be completely different appearance, but all belong to the willow family. These are not only large trees with branches falling to the ground, but also small bushes with unusual leaf shapes. With proper care and watering, willow grows quickly, and by pruning you can form a crown of the desired shape on it.
Rules for planting and care
Caring for decorative weeping willow is easy. The only thing worth paying attention to is the composition of the soil and its moisture content. Under natural conditions, the tree grows on sandy or loamy soils and constantly receives the required amount of water from the reservoir. If you plant a willow far from natural sources of moisture (pond or river), it will have to be constantly watered. On dry, hot summer days it will be useful to spray the leaves.
The plant does not need additional feeding. It adapts well to temperature changes and tolerates both heat and frost. However, you can periodically fertilize the soil with humus or compost.
It is most comfortable for weeping willow to grow on constantly moist soil. It will grow faster if the groundwater level in the area is high.
Willow propagation
Under natural conditions, the tree propagates by seeds; at home, cuttings or seedlings are used. Cuttings are harvested in spring or autumn; the middle sections of young branches that are no more than 2 years old are suitable for them. Next, they need to be prepared for planting:
- the optimal cutting length is from 20 to 30 cm;
- planted in the ground in a greenhouse or any other warm room;
- until the seedlings get stronger and are ready for transplanting, they need to be watered frequently, fertilized and the soil around them loosened;
- young trees are not planted outside in the first year; they must spend the first winter in a warm place.
Planting weeping willow in open ground produced in the spring, when the snow has completely melted. By this time, the young tree should already have fully formed root system. You can also plant it in the fall, when the period of sap movement has already ended. In this case, the soil will need to be covered with leaves or straw, and the tree itself with spruce branches.
It is necessary to dig a shallow hole in the ground (up to 60 cm in depth). During planting, the tree should be fertilized so that it takes root faster. The lower third of the hole is filled with a mixture of soil, peat and humus, and the remaining volume is filled with earth. The soil is raked up to the seedling in such a way that it forms a mound, around which there will be a depression for watering. After planting, pour 2 buckets of water under the plant. The dwarf weeping willow is no less resistant to changing weather conditions than a full-fledged tree.
If the seedling is tall and unstable, it will need additional support. A peg is placed next to it, and the young tree is loosely fixed with a rope.
Growing on a trunk
A weeping willow on a trunk will decorate any garden. Stamped trees are those in which a decorative crown, either its own or grafted, extends from a straight trunk without branches (the trunk itself). For these purposes, a variety such as goat willow is suitable. It can be grafted onto a standard, but there is another way to grow it original:
- after planting, choose a strong and powerful shoot and firmly fix it to the support;
- as it grows, the trunk is tied higher so that it grows straight and does not branch;
- In summer, side shoots need to be shortened by a third so that nutrients flow into the main trunk and it grows stronger;
- in the fall, the remaining parts of the shoots are completely removed, leaving stumps 0.5 cm long.
When the stem reaches the desired height, the support is removed. The next step is to form a uniform, thick crown that will fall down. To do this, it is enough to trim it in such a way that all the branches grow downwards. Their ends are pinched off, and the shoots begin to produce new branches.
In the photo, a weeping willow grown on a trunk looks original. Other upright trees can be used as a headquarters, and goat willow can be grafted in as a decorative crown. First, you need to plant a trunk so that by the time of grafting it has time to get stronger and take root. The procedure is best carried out in late spring or early summer. When it is ready for grafting, a split is made at its top, into which a willow rootstock is planted. They usually take root well if grafted in the spring. As a result, the tree grows even and tall from below, and at its top there is a weeping crown.
Before planting a new tree in your garden, you should read the description of the weeping willow and make sure that climatic conditions suitable for her. It should not be planted in areas where the groundwater level is low, since it will have to be watered daily. If possible, you should choose places near natural or artificial bodies of water. Planting young trees is not difficult even for a novice gardener, but preparing cuttings can be lengthy. The best solution There will be a purchase of a young seedling ready for planting at the age of 1 or 2 years, which has already developed a root system. With proper care and suitable conditions, the tree will live for at least 100 years.
Weeping willow in landscape design - video
Willow, willow, willow, vine, willow, willow (English - willow; Lat. - Salix) - a plant from the Willow family (Latin: Salicaceae) - a genus of deciduous trees and shrubs. The generic name comes from the Celtic sal, close and lis, "water", indicating the predominant habitat. The genus Salix is one of the oldest pre-glacial plants. Its distribution range extends from the Arctic tundra through the temperate zone to the tropics and from the coast to the alpine and subalpine mountain belts. Willows display a diversity of species that is unique among woody plants. Among them there are both large trees up to 40 m high and shrubs of various sizes. Many species of willows are pioneers who are the first to populate abandoned lands.
Classification:
One of the most famous and widespread species of tree willows is white or silver willow (Salix alba) , which in Russia is most often called differently - willow.
White willow grows throughout Europe, in our country it extends beyond the Urals, to the south of Western Siberia. In the European part, it is distributed to the borders of the forest zone in the north and forest-steppe zone in the south. It is often found in the floodplains of the Volga, Kuban, Don, Dnieper, Ural, Ob and other large rivers, forming willow forests there.
This is a large tree 20-30 m high, with a powerful trunk that reaches a diameter of 1.5 m and is covered with fissured, gray bark. The young branches are very impressive - thin, drooping, silvery-pubescent at the ends. Older shoots are bare, shiny, yellowish or reddish-brown in color. The leaves are alternate, lanceolate, up to 15 cm long, silky-whitish in youth, later dark green above, bare, silvery below, silky-pubescent, which makes the tree very beautiful at the slightest breath of wind. Flower catkins develop simultaneously with leaves. It grows quickly, is photophilous, frost-resistant, has little soil requirements, and tolerates urban conditions well. Propagated by seeds and vegetatively. This plant reproduces well from both summer and lignified cuttings. The rooting percentage is close to 100. There are cases when even stakes dug into the ground take root. Lives up to 100 years. It is an integral element in the compositions of large parks and forest parks located on the banks of large bodies of water. A valuable tree for quick landscaping of new buildings and industrial facilities. Used in groups and for road lining.
Goat willow(Salix caprea) - bredina, or broom. This is the most widely used species in landscaping, growing wild in Europe, the forest zone of Russia, in Central Asia. A small tree 12-15 m high and a trunk diameter of up to 75 cm, with a rounded, densely leafy crown, or less often a tall shrub.
Willow brittle(Salix fragilis), or broom, grows almost throughout Europe, reaching the Volga in the east. Tree average size(15-20 m) with a tent-shaped crown and brittle branches, for which it received its specific name.
Holly willow(Salix acutifolia), or red shell, red willow, willow, is found throughout the European part of Russia - from the forest-tundra in the north to the Ciscaucasia in the south and almost to the Aral Sea in the east. It is a shrub or tree up to 8 m high with an oval crown of medium density and purple-red, twig-like, flexible shoots, covered with an easily erasable bluish coating.
Willow five-stamen(Salixpentandra) is found throughout European Russia and Western Siberia. It is a tree up to 12 m high or a shrub with a rounded, dense crown.
Of the introduced species, the best known willow babylon(Salix babylonica) is native to China. This tree is 10 -12 m high and has a trunk diameter of up to 60 cm. The crown is wide, weeping in shape. It is cultivated in the south of the European part. It is weakly resistant to frost, so its hybrids with white willow are bred further north, almost as decorative as the original species.
Willow forests
Willow forests, or willow forests, are plantings formed by tree-like willows. Shrub willows form thickets (willows or willows). Willow forests of white willow (wildweed) are common in Europe, Asia Minor and Central Asia, in the northwestern part of Africa, of willow three-stamen - in Eurasia and North America, and of goat willow - in East Asia.
In Russia, willow forests are found in the forest and forest-steppe zones of the European part, in the North Caucasus, in the south of Western Siberia and in the Far East. The area of willow forests in the Russian forest fund is over 800 thousand hectares with a timber reserve of about 10 million m3. The area of tugai forests of Dzungarian and southern tree willows is about 60 thousand hectares in the Volgograd and Astrakhan regions. Willow forests of white willow are mainly concentrated in the floodplains of large rivers (Volga, Don, Kuban, Ural, Ob, etc.). In Siberia and the Far East, the forest-forming species are white willow, dewy willow, three- and five-stamened willow, as well as Schwering willow.
Willow wood:
Willow is a diffusely vascular core species with wide white sapwood, vaguely demarcated from the brownish-pink core. The annual layers and medullary rays are poorly visible, the vessels are small. As for its texture, willow wood has a straight-grained structure, mainly with straight annual layers in a radial section. Overall the texture is inexpressive.
The macrostructure indicators of willow are close to those of poplar, i.e. its wood has a high uniform density (there is no sharp difference between the structure of the early and late wood of the annual layers). As with many scattered vascular rocks, the anatomical irregularities on the surface of longitudinal sections range from 30 to 100 microns. The number of annual layers per 1 cm of white willow, growing in the central regions of the European part of Russia, averages 3.6.
In terms of its properties, willow wood is close to linden and poplar. It belongs to the medium-drying breeds. The ability to hold fasteners (nails and screws) is approximately the same as that of aspen and linden.
Willow wood is well impregnated with protective compounds. During the drying process, willow lumber is prone to warping. The stability of the dimensions and shape of willow products is satisfactory.
Due to the high uniform density, straightness and uniform distribution of properties throughout the volume of the trunk, it is well processed by all types cutting tools. Like poplar wood, it has a tendency to develop moss and hairiness. It glues well, sands and paints.
Areas of application of willow wood:
The most well-known use of willow wood is the production of wickerwork, baskets, furniture, etc. The production of such products, which had declined significantly by the middle of the 20th century, lately is experiencing a resurgence due to growing consumer interest in environmentally friendly products.
Willow bark contains about 16% tannins, so it is widely used to obtain tannins needed in the leather industry.
Light and soft willow wood is not widely used in woodworking, but the growing needs for raw materials for the board and pulp and paper industries make plantation growing of willow promising. The ongoing projects for growing willow to solve the problems of bioenergy development have already been mentioned.
Willow wood is used in the production of matches. In everyday life it is used for the manufacture of various household products along with linden and poplar, and in the southern low-forest regions of Russia - in the construction of individual housing.
With the development of the technology of glued products from wood of “unpromising” species, it is possible that the demand for willow wood will increase, as evidenced by the developing production furniture board from poplar, similar in properties to willow. Subsequently, this shield is covered with veneer valuable species or synthetic materials.
Willow plantations are of great importance for protecting the banks of rivers and reservoirs, highways from erosion and landslides. Lots of output decorative forms, widely used for urban greening.
Willow is included in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. The bark, leaves and shoots of willow in our country are used so far only in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic for colds and joint diseases, and is also used in homeopathy.
Preparation of willow twigs
For longer use (for 40 - 50 years) of willow trees to obtain twigs for wicker products, it is necessary to establish the correct cutting of them, which maintains the productivity of the stumps. For this purpose, in the first 5 years, the rods for weaving are cut annually, then they are allowed to grow for 2-3 years to obtain hoops, then the rods are cut annually again for 2-3 years, etc., alternating correctly; or with each annual cutting of the twigs, 1-2 twigs are left on each stump for 2-3 years, to restore the hoops.
The method of cutting and the tools used are no less important: you should not cut off all the branches of the stump at once, with one stroke, and therefore an ax and a mower are less suitable than a knife, sickle or scissors; the cut should be smooth and made closer to the stump, with the butt (remnant of the rod) no more than 2 cm. One-year-old rods prepared for weaving are tied into bundles or bundles (0.60 - 1.0 m in circumference; a worker prepares 15 - 20 per day fagots); three-year-old rods for hoops are cleared of branches (a worker prepares 1000-2000 of them per day) and are sold in hundreds and thousands.
Weaving rods are sorted: shorter than 60 cm, very branched and with damaged bark, constitute “green goods”, the rest, the best, white - peeled from bark in various ways. The highest grade of white goods is obtained from S. purpurea with S. Lambertiana and S. Uralensis, S. viminalis, S. amygdalina, S. Hyppophaefolia and S. purpu raea + S. viminalis, as well as from S. acuminata, S. longifolia, S. stipularis, S. daphnoides, S. viridis and S. undulata; hoops are prepared mainly from S. viminalis, S. Smithiana and S. acutifolia; The vines are tied (in France) with twigs of S. alba var. vitellina, while larger materials - arc forest - are supplied by S. alba and its crosses: S. excelsior, S. Russeliana, S. viridis and S. palustris.
