How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Willow Trees

Willows are a group of trees and shrubs in the genus Salix that includes over 350 species worldwide. While some willows blend into their surroundings without standing out or being noticed, other varieties are highly ornamental and useful in the landscape. The weeping willow is probably the most easily recognized, known for its long, graceful branches.

As a general rule, willows are fast-growing trees that love wet areas. They aren’t suitable for all landscapes, but if you live near a pond, lake, stream, wetland, or occasionally flooded area, a willow could be an ideal tree. Willows thrive in these wetter areas where other tree species struggle. A few willow species are more tolerant of occasionally dry soils, but all willows appreciate constant moisture.

If you decide to use a willow tree for your property, consider it more than just a tree. Look for a willow with an appealing structure. These trees often appear very elegant during the growing season when they are leafy and green. In the winter, the bare branches have their own unique appeal. Many willows have fascinating forms that you can appreciate all year round.

If you have a plot of land with plenty of space and moist soil, let’s dig right in and look at the details of how and where to grow a willow tree.

Natural History

There are around 350 species of willows worldwide. Willows are found in many temperate regions around the world, including Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. Many of the more ornamental willows, such as the weeping willow and pussy willows, originated in Europe and Asia. These trees have been widely cultivated for landscaping, erosion control, and the floral industry.

Willows typically grow in moist to wet soils. They thrive along the edges of ponds, lakes, streams, and wetlands and are very tolerant of occasional flooding and saturated soils. They are fast-growing but often short-lived. Many species of willow spread to form small colonies along waterways, creating a natural floodplain erosion control.

Characteristics

All willows are deciduous shrubs or trees. Smaller varieties, such as the pussy willow, can be pruned into a bush-like form, while larger varieties, such as the weeping willow, grow to be impressive, thick-trunked trees. The weeping varieties are highly ornamental, with long, gracefully drooping branches that cascade downwards, overlapping each other like elegant fringes. Most willow varieties have an upright growth form with a rounded or vase-like crown.

These trees and shrubs tend to have similar leaf shapes. Many long, thin, lance-like leaves line the thinner woody stems, giving them a densely green overall appearance. Willows tend to leaf out early in the spring and hold their leaves until late fall. In the autumn, willow leaves typically turn from green to yellow before dropping for the winter months.

Willows bloom in the spring. Most species are dioecious, having separate male and female flowers on different plants. Both trees have showy catkins, often with a white, fuzzy appearance. Male and female flowers bloom at the same time, both attracting pollinators, which then help these plants cross-pollinate. The female plants then produce seed pods, sometimes releasing the seeds with tufts of white fluff to help them disperse in the wind.

Propagation

These trees are remarkably easy to propagate. Willow seeds are ready to germinate as soon as they mature, and willow cuttings readily take root with minimal effort.

Seed

Willow seeds germinate quickly but must be sown immediately after maturing in the spring. The best way to grow a willow tree from seed is to harvest fresh seeds and, within a few days of collection, sow them outdoors in a moist location.

The seeds and seedlings must be kept moist, as they cannot tolerate drying out during this phase. Willow seeds don’t require any special treatment or stratification. Viable seeds can germinate within one to three days after sowing.

Cuttings

Do you have access to a mature willow tree? You can quickly propagate these trees with hardwood cuttings. In late winter, use sharp pruners to take cuttings at least 12 inches long up to six feet long and at least ½ inch thick. Place the cuttings in moist soil in pots or in a moist in-ground location. Make sure the soil stays moist until spring. 

In early spring, any successful cutting will begin to develop roots and fresh new leaves. As soon as the weather warms, the cuttings will start to grow vigorously. Most willow cuttings will root easily, but a few will not be successful. Any successfully growing cuttings should soon be placed in a permanent location where they will continue to grow freely, while any unsuccessful cuttings can be discarded. 

Transplanting

If you have a potted willow ready for a permanent home, plan to do your transplanting on a cool spring or fall day, if possible. Prepare your planting site by digging a hole at least as deep and wide as the current potted plant. Carefully remove your willow tree from its pot and transfer it into the hole.

If the roots are bunched and tangled, try to loosen them and spread them out a bit before placing them in the hole. Refill around the roots of your plant with moist soil, tamping it down to remove air pockets. Finally, water your newly transplanted willow well and keep it moist to help avoid transplant shock.

How to Grow

The willow family is easy to grow and will grow readily in any sunny location with moist soil. Site selection will be particularly important when choosing where to plant your tree.

Do not place them near structures or utility lines because their vigorous, moisture-seeking root systems can interfere with water pipes, drainage, and foundations. Willows are best planted in a naturalized area where they can grow freely in an undeveloped part of your landscape.

Sunlight

Willows perform well in full sun and partial shade. A single, ornamental specimen tree should be planted in full sun, whereas a hedge of smaller willows can grow along a woodland edge. At least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day is ideal. 

Water

Willows love water. They don’t generally grow in permanently saturated soils, but they do need regular and consistent soil moisture. If you attempt to grow a willow tree in a dry area, you will need to water it regularly. It’s best to grow these plants where their soil will be naturally moist, such as near a pond or wetland.

Soil

These trees are not too picky about the soil type, as long as the soil is moist. They perform well in acidic, alkaline, or neutral soils. They will grow in well-drained sandy soil or poorly-drained clay soils. The most important thing is consistent soil moisture.

Climate and Temperature

Willow varieties have varying origins and are best adapted to different climates. Check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map and learn your zone. Because willows are adapted to the growing conditions in temperate regions, they can handle freezing temperatures. Each species will have specific climate preferences, so be sure to choose a species that is well-adapted to your regional conditions.

Fertilizing

Willows grow perfectly well in average-quality soil. You should not need to worry about adding any extra fertilizer around your willow tree.

Maintenance

While you can allow your willow tree to grow without any maintenance, you can help it look its best by taking care of some routine tasks. Prune and remove plant debris in winter when the tree is dormant.

Garden Design

Some willow types are extremely showy, but it can be challenging to find them an ideal place in the landscape. Since they tend to be large, messy, and weak-wooded, with large, spreading root systems, they should be planted well away from houses, structures, and underground utilities.

If you have a large landscape with a pond or wetland, however, a willow would make a beautiful addition to your garden! A mature weeping willow growing near the edge of a lake or pond adds a tranquil look, with its long flowing branches gracefully waving in the breeze. If you live near a wetland or occasionally flooded area, plant a few along the border to provide some shade, wildlife habitat, and vertical structure.

If you are hoping to grow a willow tree but don’t have space for a full-sized weeping willow tree, try a smaller variety or dwarf cultivar. Dwarf varieties can be more easily incorporated into a landscape but should still be distanced from water pipes and structures to avoid root interference. Dwarf willows can also be used as container plants and even bonsai. You’ll just need to water them frequently to keep the soil moist. 

Varieties

Weeping Willow, Salix babylonica

The weeping willow is a large, fast-growing tree native to Asia. Weeping willows can grow up to 40 feet tall and are winter-hardy in zones 6 through 8. The weeping willow has long, thin branches with slender, lance-shaped leaves. These ornamental trees are often used in wet places along ponds or streams, where their highly showy branches add a certain graceful charm to the landscape.

White Willow, Salix alba

The white willow is a medium to large tree native to Europe, Africa, and Asia. White willow grows up to 70 feet tall and is winter-hardy from zones 2 to 9. Like the weeping willow, white willow is a highly ornamental tree with gracefully drooping branches. 

Black Willow, Salix nigra

Black willow is a medium to large fast-growing tree native to eastern North America. This tree can grow up to 80 feet tall and is hardy in zones 4 through 9. Black willow thrives in wet soil and frequent standing water in ditches, along roadsides, and in low-lying floodplains. It can be pruned annually to keep it compact and tidy, especially if growing in a landscape setting.

Curly Willow, Salix babylonica ‘Scarlet Curls’

Curly willow, or corkscrew willow, is a medium-sized tree native to Asia. This highly ornamental tree is often used in landscaping for its interesting, twisting branch patterns. These trees are especially attractive during the winter months when you can clearly see the branches. Curly willow can grow up to 50 feet tall and is hardy in zones 5 through 8. 

Carolina Willow, Salix caroliniana

The Carolina willow, also known as the coastal plain willow, is a small to medium-sized tree native to the southeastern United States. It grows up to 20 feet tall and is hardy in zones 6 through 10. This upright tree often grows in consistently saturated soils in wetlands, ditches, and along pond edges and slow-moving waterways. Carolina willow has thin, lance-like leaves and soft, fluffy, bunches of fluff surrounding its seed pods.

Pacific Willow, Salix lucida

The Pacific willow, also known as the shining willow, is a medium to large tree native to northwestern North America. Pacific willows have elegant yellow catkins and silvery green leaves, making them attractive landscaping trees for a wet location. 

Wildlife Value

Willows are excellent wildlife-friendly trees. In particular, willows are a larval host plant for several butterfly species. As a host plant, they provide food for the caterpillars of the viceroy butterfly, eastern tiger swallowtail, eastern comma butterfly, red-spotted purple, and the mourning cloak butterfly. Native bees and other pollinators are attracted to the spring-blooming flowers.

Willows are a beneficial tree for other wildlife as well. They provide shelter and foraging opportunities for birds and small mammals. Birds will use the dense branches to build their summer nests. 

Common Problems

Unfortunately, willows can be prone to many problems and often require regular maintenance to keep them looking their best. Be especially alert for various fungal diseases and cankers, which affect many varieties of willow. 

Insect pests

Some of the more common garden pests, such as aphids, scales, and leaf borers, freely attack these trees. It’s difficult to control pests on larger trees because they are simply too prolific and often out of reach.

If you are finding low-hanging tent caterpillar nests, you can easily cut off infected low-hanging branch tips and dispose of them. Otherwise, many people simply learn to live with the insects. Cultivating your trees in optimal conditions will help them resist insect damage.

Canker

Black canker is a fungal disease that often appears alongside willow scab. These diseases are fairly common and affect all varieties of willow. Trees infected with canker display black and brown spots and blotches on the leaves, twigs, and branches.

Severe infections can eventually kill a tree. Control canker and scab by routinely pruning and disposing of infected branches so they can’t spread. Smaller trees can be treated with a fungicide, but it’s difficult to spray larger trees.

Fungal diseases

Mildew and leaf spots are common willow tree infections. These fungal diseases are most common in trees growing in moist, humid conditions. You may notice many small brown dead spots on the leaves or areas with a powdery white or gray mildew coating.

Avoid unnecessarily spraying water on your trees’ leaves and dispose of fallen leaves and twigs to help prevent annual re-infection of fungal diseases. Keep your trees as healthy as possible to minimize stress, making them more prone to pests and diseases. Annual pruning and clean up should assist in preventing many diseases.