And you are deciduous trees or shrubs, some species of which may differ from each other in external characteristics. The genus “Willow” has approximately 600 species, some of which are found in cultivation.
Types and varieties of willow
Typically, willows are distinguished by a through, transparent crown, flexible, thin shoots and pointed, narrow, elongated leaves. Willows have small flowers. Most willows reach a height of up to 15 m, but there are also tall trees– up to 40 m tall, also dwarf willows.
Willow brittle
The tree is about 15 m high and up to 8 m wide. Brittle willow sometimes has a curved shape with two trunks. The crown is round, openwork, asymmetrical. Brittle willow grows quickly. The leaves are elongated, long, lanceolate; green above, bluish below; V autumn period green-yellow.
Brittle willow has green-yellow flowers that bloom in May. The shoots of brittle willow are brownish or yellowish, brittle, glossy, and easy to take root. Winter-hardy. In nature, brittle willow grows from Europe to Asia.
Goat willow
A large, fast-growing shrub or small tree up to 12 m in height and up to 6 m in width with a curved short trunk and a rounded crown. Goat willow branches grow vertically, the side shoots are raised and spread out. Goat willow leaves are broadly elliptical or rounded, green, gray below, slightly pubescent.
The flowers are yellow-silver with a honey aroma. Goat willow becomes brittle after 20 years of growth. Under natural conditions, the tree is found in Central Asia, Europe. Willow is propagated by seeds, and decorative forms of willow are propagated by goat grafting.
Purple willow
Large tree about 10 m tall. The shape of purple willow can be different - funnel-shaped, dome-shaped, umbrella-shaped. The shoots take root easily and are densely growing. The leaves of the purple willow are green above, bluish below, narrowly lanceolate; yellow in autumn.
Purple willow flowers have a pleasant aroma, are slightly curved, reddish, then turn yellow. The root system of purple willow is deep. Tolerates pruning well. Winter-hardy. Purple willow is found in nature in central Europe, V Central Asia.
creeping willow
In nurseries you can find the weeping variety "Armando" in standard form.
In early spring, the fluffy inflorescences of creeping willow "Armando" have pink and silver woolly scales. This beauty will not leave anyone indifferent. Then yellow anthers appear, and the willow is already different. After flowering, the shrub needs to be heavily pruned to encourage the growth of new young weeping shoots.
The leaves of the creeping willow "Armando" are shiny, green, and underneath they are gray-green. This variety of willow can be grown in the garden and in a container on the balcony.
Creeping willow "Argentea" is a prostrate bush with small, silky leaves. The rounded leaves sometimes have a blue tint. The round yellow inflorescences are small and few in number; they appear on the bush before the leaves bloom. It is possible to form creeping willow "Argentea" in standard form. In this case, you get a beautiful, miniature weeping tree.
White willow
Large plant up to 25 m in height and up to 15 m in width. The trunk of the white willow is powerful, the bark is gray. At first the crown is narrow-columnar, then spreading, widely rounded. The branches “look” up, and the side shoots hang down a little. The leaves of white willow are silver-gray when blooming, then gray-green.
The flowers of this willow are yellow and fragrant, blooming in late April. White willow grows in sun and partial shade and is winter-hardy. It grows quickly and lives up to 100 years. It can be found in nature throughout Europe.
White willow has a weeping form (‘Pendula’). The weeping willow is distinguished not only by its beautiful crown, but also by the color of its shoots: in summer the bark is red-brown, and in spring it is bright yellow. The leaves of the weeping willow are also very decorative - light green, narrow, pointed.
Babylonian willow
A beautiful tree with a weeping shape is one of the most beautiful decorations in the parks of southern Russia. Originally from the regions of Northern and Central China.
The tree is no more than 15 m in height, with a large, weeping crown about 9 m in diameter, formed by thin, flexible, yellow-green, bare, shiny branches hanging to the ground.
The leaves of Babylonian willow are pointed, narrowly lanceolate, finely serrated along the edge. Young foliage is green, slightly shiny, bluish below. Flower catkins of Babylonian willow are thin, short-petioled. The Babylonian willow blooms after the leaves bloom.
Grows quickly. Very effective in single group plantings near ponds and on the lawn.
Holly willow or pussy willow
Shrub or tree up to 8 m in height with an oval crown. Willow shoots are flexible, purple-red, with a bluish bloom.
The foliage of willow is linear-lanceolate, long, pointed; shiny, green above, bluish below. This willow is one of the most unpretentious species of willow in terms of growing conditions. Willow willow propagates by cuttings and twigs.
Willow wholeleaf
In the natural flora it is found in the south of Primorye and Japan. Spreading shrub up to 3 m in height with curved stems at the base. The leaves of willow allifolia are narrowly oblong, oval at both ends, almost sessile.
Due to the soft green tone of the leaves and their arrangement, the shoots of this willow, extending obliquely and arched to the sides, are similar to the leaves of a fern, which gives the willow an unusually beautiful appearance. All-leaved willow blooms in May. During flowering it smells of hyacinth.
Looks beautiful near ponds in group and single plantings.
All-leaved willow "Hakuro-nishiki" (Hakuro nishiki) is a beautiful spreading bush or tree with drooping branches. Young foliage has spots of white and pink. On older leaves, the pink color disappears, and only some white streaks remain.
Rosemary willow
Semi-dwarf wide shrub up to 2 m in height and width. Initially, the side shoots grow vertically, then arcuate. This willow grows slowly. The leaves are green above and white below.
It begins to bloom in April, the flowers are fragrant, yellow. Frost-resistant, wind-resistant. Under natural conditions, rosemary willow is found in Central and Central Asia and Europe.
Iwa Matsuda
Distributed in Korea and China.
Tree up to 13 m in height, with a wide pyramidal crown, smooth trunk. The shoots are straight, thin, young - pubescent, yellow-olive, then bare, brown. The leaves of the Matsuda willow are narrow-lanceolate and long-pointed.
Photophilous, grows quickly, demanding soil moisture. Matsuda willow is propagated by lignified cuttings.
It has a decorative shape - with serpentine-curved, green shoots, growing in the form of a small shrub with an openwork crown.
Willow is classified as an ornamental garden and park tree. More than 600 species are known in nature, some of them are grown in country houses. Breeders have developed many varieties, including not only trees, but also shrubs, as well as creeping plants. By pruning, the plant can be given different shapes, which allows it to be used to create bonsai. In traditional landscaping, willow is used as a hedge. The decorative effect of the tree is achieved due to the luxurious crown, which is different for each variety.
Growing willow: varieties and types (photo)
White willow
White willow is a tree whose height can reach 25 meters. On a powerful white trunk, all branches are located vertically upward, with the exception of the side shoots, which rush downward.
Grayish leaves appear along with catkins. Willow blooms with small yellow flowers that bloom in April.
It is better to place the tree on the banks of rivers, reservoirs, and near lakes. Willow prefers open sunny areas. Having planted a white willow, you can admire its beauty for quite a long time. The life cycle of a tree is up to 100 years.
Weeping white willow
A small compact tree, a variety of white willow. It has bright yellow bark and light green leaves. The willow crown is quite unusual and gives the plant a bizarre appearance. The branches descend in a lush cascade to the ground, which adds decorativeness to the entire tree. Dwarf forms of weeping willow look good in a flower bed, next to flowers.
Babylonian willow
A large plant with a weeping crown. The height of the tree reaches 15 meters. Flexible and thin shoots hang to the ground, and the narrow leaves have a shiny shine. The tree is used both in group plantings and in single ones. Babylonian willow is characterized by its growth rate. The planting site must be moist.
Goat willow
A very beautiful tree with a decorative crown, the height of which reaches only 10 meters. The crown is round in shape and quite dense. The leaves are large, round, dark green. In March, goat willow blooms with small silver-yellow catkins that emit a honey aroma. This species is propagated by grafting, less often by seeds.
Hairy willow
A silvery shrub with rounded leaves, the height of which does not exceed two meters. The shoots and leaves are covered with fluff. During flowering, it produces candle flowers that are directed upward. Well tolerated harsh winters, prefers moist and nutritious soils. In landscape design they are used for decoration. artificial reservoirs.
Iwa Haruko Nishiki
A small compact tree with drooping branches. The crown is round and dense. Young leaves are covered with spots white, which gives the tree extraordinary beauty. Old leaves lose this feature. Used to create compositions against the background of shrubs with dark leaves.
Willow wholeleaf
Spreading shrub up to 3 meters high. Willow prefers damp places. The plant can be recognized from afar by its leaves, which are arranged in an arched manner on the branches. This feature gives the shrub a similarity to a fern. Flowering begins in May, dark red catkins bloom, emitting a hyacinth aroma.
Creeping willow "Armando"
A small, rather decorative shrub that can be formed into a standard tree. Many gardeners grow in tubs, on balconies and terraces. The crown of the bush is creeping, the trunk is almost invisible. After flowering, it needs pruning, which provokes the growth of new shoots. The frost-resistant tree blooms with pink, silvery fluffy inflorescences. With the appearance of earrings, the plant is transformed.
How to plant willow
The place for planting the tree should be moist with well-fertilized soil. Willow grows well in light sandy soils. When planting, humus or mature compost is added to the ground.
For planting, choose an annual seedling with a well-developed root system. The optimal time for planting a plant is early spring. As soon as the snow melts, the willow should be planted. For low-growing forms and shrubs, a pit size of 50*50*50 is acceptable. For tall trees, the planting hole should be slightly bigger size. After planting, the seedling needs to be well watered and the soil mulched.
Willow care: watering, pruning, fertilizing
Growing willow is not at all difficult, caring for it is not a hassle. Basic care procedures boil down to watering, crown formation and fertilizing.
How to water a willow
IN wildlife willow grows on the banks of rivers and ponds, so it needs frequent watering. This plant tolerates spring flooding and high lying areas very well. groundwater.
During dry periods, the tree needs to be watered regularly and the crown of young seedlings should be sprayed. Several buckets of water are spent on one adult plant.
Feeding
Like all trees, willow needs fertilizing to maintain its decorative properties. In spring, the soil around the tree is loosened and mineral fertilizers are added.
Willow responds well to regular fertilizing with organic and mineral fertilizers. They need to be applied throughout the season, depending on the plant variety.
Crown formation
Willow tolerates pruning and crown formation well. Skilled gardeners use pruning to create trees with an unusually beautiful crown.
The first cutting should be carried out several years after planting the seedling. At first, the shoots are allowed to grow freely. Pruning is carried out when the tree branches reach a height of about 1 meter.
As a rule, crown formation begins when the plant has already bloomed. Young shoots are shortened by about 20 cm, making a cut above the bud that faces outward. Tree pruning should be done regularly, which allows you to grow beautiful specimens with a dense crown.
Willow planting: propagation (photo)
IN natural conditions Willows reproduce by seeds, which remain viable for several days. When ripe, the seeds are dispersed by the wind and birds. But propagation of varietal willows by seeds is quite difficult. As a rule, you can get a seedling only by resorting to cuttings. Some varieties are propagated exclusively by grafting. To plant such species, it is better to purchase ready-made seedlings from a nursery.
Cuttings should be harvested in autumn or early spring, when sap flow is slow. Cuttings are cut from shoots that are more than two years old, which increases the chances of rooting. Take only the middle of the branch, about 20 cm long, for the cutting.
The prepared cuttings are planted in a greenhouse or a separate container. To do this, prepare a trench by deepening the planting material several buds into the ground. The distance between seedlings should be about 30 cm.
Caring for willow seedlings in a greenhouse should be carried out constantly. It is necessary to maintain the level of humidity, as well as loosen the soil and remove the growth of other trees, which can clog young plantings.
The cuttings quickly take root and begin to grow, but there is no need to rush into planting them in the garden. Young seedlings should overwinter in a greenhouse. They are planted in a permanent place only in the second year. The trees obtained in this way grow and form quickly.
In Russia, many other names are used to refer to the willow plant. For example, it is often called willow, willow, willow or vine. When describing the willow tree, it is definitely worth noting that this plant is one of the oldest on our planet - imprints of its leaves are found even on sediments Cretaceous period. The willow tree looks especially beautiful as an indispensable attribute for decorating ponds.
What a willow tree looks like: photo and description
Tree willow (Salix) belongs to the Willow family, its homeland is Eurasia, North America, Siberia, Central Asia. This is one of the most common tree and shrub species in temperate and cold zones. globe, only a few of its species are found in subtropical and tropical areas. As evidenced by paleontological data, willow appeared on earth in very distant geological eras. In various countries of Europe, Asia and America, its remains were found in Lower Cretaceous deposits Mesozoic era, in the Tertiary period, willow was already widespread. The description of fossil willows found in the Upper Cretaceous deposits showed that over many millennia this plant simplified internal organization, has acquired greater plasticity and extremely diverse external forms, which determine its species diversity.
As you can see in the photo of the willow, all plants can be divided into two large types - shrubs and trees:
Shrubs, which are the majority, grow everywhere: along the banks of rivers and lakes, along highways and railways, in swamps and along drying river beds. They are the first to “populate” forest clearings and fires, covering the blackened earth like a fur coat. Willows also grow on mountain slopes, even at an altitude of 3 thousand meters above sea level. Bush willow branches are the main material for weaving. As follows from the description of the willow, this plant is one of the fastest growing: annual shoots sometimes reach a height of 3 m. Tree-like willows sometimes grow into beautiful, powerful trees. For example, in the village of Nikolskoye Smolensk region a silver willow grows, the trunk of which exceeds 5 m in girth, and its age, according to biologists, is more than 120 years. This is a record tree among its relatives in the Non-Black Earth zone of Russia.
Willow is a deciduous shrub or small tree with a beautiful rounded shape and lanceolate or broadly oval leaves 10-12 cm long and 5-8 cm wide.
The leaves are dark green on the upper side and greenish-gray on the outside. reverse side. In autumn the leaves turn golden yellow.
Willow blooms in April, before the leaves form. Its male inflorescences - catkins - are large, 4 - 6 cm long, golden yellow in color. The plant is frost-resistant.
Types of willows: photos, names and descriptions
Willow has many species, their description can take dozens of pages. Not all of them are suitable for weaving, but most are still suitable for this craft. Let us briefly describe the latter. The recommended types and varieties of willows meet the basic requirements for one-year-old twigs used for the manufacture of wicker products.
Check out the photos, names and descriptions of the species most common in middle lane.
Willow
One of the main types suitable for weaving. Tree 8–10 m high or tall branched shrub. The branches are straight, long, thin. Young shoots are short, grayish-pubescent or almost glabrous, adults are glabrous or very short-haired. The stipules are small, narrowly lanceolate or crescent-shaped, long-pointed, usually rapidly falling, mostly shorter than the petioles. The leaves are narrow or linear-lanceolate. Length 10–20 cm and width 1–2 cm. Wedge-shaped at the base, sharp at the apex, with a curved edge, whole-cut or slightly wavy-notched. From dark green above, almost glabrous or slightly pubescent to grayish-fluffy with glands at the edge, below densely covered with silky hairs. Blooms from March to May.
Look at the photo - this type of willow has catkins that develop before the leaves or at the same time, long, cylindrical, without leaves at the base or with them:
Grows in the European part of Russia, except for the extreme northern and southern regions, in Western Siberia, except for the Far North, in Altai. It grows along the banks of rivers along living riverbeds, in old parts of the floodplain, along the banks of oxbow lakes. It almost does not grow along the marshy banks of reservoirs. Can grow in periodically waterlogged areas. Photophilous. Stem cuttings root easily. It grows quickly and has good growth capacity. Resistant to spring frosts.
Willow wood is light, sometimes with a pinkish or reddish tint, soft, light. It dries well, but often warps, elastic, easy to process, but not resistant to wormholes and rotting. The annual twig is the same in flexibility as the three-stamen willow, but somewhat inferior in softness. Cleanability from bark is good. The splitting of the rod is satisfactory. The core occupies up to 1/3 of the diameter of a one-year-old twig. The twig willow grows along the banks of rivers over a vast area from forest-tundra to semi-desert, forming wide thickets. Cultivated in forest and forest-steppe zones on slightly podzolic loams, sandstones, and degraded chernozems. It grows quickly, pricks and planes well. This is a classic basket willow.
Willow Astrakhan and willow Kharkov
Artificially selected varieties of willow, distinguished by larger but smaller annual twigs. The twig of this type of willow is very well cleared of bark. More flexible than twig willow and easier to split. Both varieties are more productive than the rod-shaped variety. Can be used on tape and furniture stick.
Hemp willow
One of the classic types of willow suitable for weaving. A shrub up to 8 m high, most often grows near rivers, on floodplains and in other wet places. The shoots are green with a brown or yellow tint. The leaves are oblong-lanceolate, 7–15 cm long, with short petioles and edges curled at the bottom, dark green above, grayish-silver below. The rod is long, thick, with a blunt end, the core is quite large. A one-year-old rod is used for weaving, and two- and three-year-old rods are used for sticks.
Red-flowered willow (krasnotal, willow, sandy)
Great for weaving. Shrub, less commonly tree. The bark is shiny, red with dark and brown tints. The buds are red, closely adjacent to the stem. The leaves are spatulate-lanceolate, with short petioles, small serrations along the edge in the upper part of the leaf. The leaves are dark green above, bluish below, matte, with a convex midrib. The rods are long, flexible, thin, without branches, with a very small core. The bark comes off easily. Used for the manufacture of various small products: baskets, boxes, etc.
Purple willow
A very popular type among lovers of wickerwork. Dense branched shrub from 2 to 5 m high. Life expectancy is up to 30 years. The bark is purple-red, sometimes with a bluish coating, yellow-green underneath, and lemon-yellow on the inside. The shoots are thin, flexible, with sparse leaves. The buds are small (length 3–5 mm), red-brown or yellowish in color, pressed to the shoot, often have an opposite (to the top of the shoot) arrangement along with a spiral-alternate arrangement, stipules are usually absent. Accordingly, the leaves of the purple willow are alternate and opposite, from 3 to 13 cm long and from 0.8 to 1.5 cm wide, oblanceolate, mostly pointed, subulate at the top; only the blossoming ones (young ones) have a red, easily erasable felt; the later ones are smooth, dark green on top and bluish-green below. The inflorescence earrings bloom earlier or almost simultaneously with the leaves. Willow is easily propagated by winter stem cuttings.
This species of willow is distributed in the middle and southern zone approximately along the line: Pskov, Velikiye Luki, the south of the Moscow region, along the Oka to Sasov, the cities of Samara and Chkalov, along the Urals to Magnitogorsk, Semipalatinsk, Balkhash. It also grows in the mountains of Crimea, Moldova, Western Ukraine and the Baltic states. Grows throughout Western Europe, northern Africa, Asia Minor, Iran, Mongolia, Japan, North America. In the forest zone, purple willow can be cultivated everywhere; only in its northern part can it die from frost, but when the twig is cut annually, frost does practically no harm. Purple willow is light-loving and does not tolerate proximity to groundwater and flooding.
The one-year-old twig is short-running, more flexible than that of the three-stamened willow, High Quality. It cleans very well from bark. The splitting properties of the rod are average. This type of willow is valuable because it has almost no branches.
Willow buzulukskaya
Willow Ural
One of the low-growing forms of purple willow. A low shrub with graceful shoots, it differs from purple willow mainly in its thinner shoots and smaller leaves. Grows well in moist, rich sandy loam soils. In terms of productivity, it is somewhat inferior to purple, but is valuable because it is suitable for fine weaving. The one-year-old twig is somewhat longer and thinner, but more tapering than that of the Buzuluk willow.
Goat willow
Universal look. Tree 6–10 m high or low shrub. The bark is smooth, greenish-gray, often cracked at the bottom of the trunk.
Pay attention to the photo - this willow tree has thick, spreading, gray-pubescent branches when young, later brown, gray or dark, knotty:
The stipules are reniform, 4–7 mm long, serrate and lobed, falling off early. Petioles up to 2 cm long, greatly expanded towards the base. The leaves are oblong-oval, toothed, with a shiny dark green upper side and gray fluffy underside. It blooms long before the leaves bloom. It grows very quickly, reaching a height of up to 6 m during the growing season. Mainly annual shoots are used, which are split into ribbons for weaving.
Outside our country, this type of willow tree grows throughout Europe (with the exception of the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula and the islands of Italy), in Asia Minor, Iran, Manchuria, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan. It lives on moist and fresh, non-boggy soils, on forest edges, along roads, ditches and slopes. Being relatively shade-tolerant, it grows in mixed forest plantations in the form of undergrowth and second tier. IN steppe zone lives in river valleys and ravines, but rarely descends onto flooded areas of the floodplain. A hybrid of goat willow and twig willow - pointed willow - is widely known in cultures. This is a large shrub 4–5 m high with long narrow lanceolate leaves and strong bare shoots. The wood is of excellent quality, suitable for rods, small and large hoops.
Willow tristamen
Also a classic willow look. A shrub 6–7 m high or a tree 7–10 m high with a trunk diameter of 7 to 20 cm. In old trunks and shoots, the bark is separated by thin plates, like patches, hence the local name for willow in the Volga region - patchwork. The shoots are yellowish-green, thin, flexible. The leaves are lanceolate or elliptical glandular-serrate, dark green matte above, green or glaucous below, 4–15 cm long. Stipules are ovate. It blooms in April - May after the leaves bloom.
The bark is rich in tannins (tannins) - up to 17%, and also contains salicyl - 4-5%. Willow vine is of high quality, flexible and durable, suitable for all kinds of weaving, easy to split and plan. The wood is white with a grayish-green tint, light, soft, dries well, and is easy to process and finish. One-year-old rod is flexible and soft, easily split and planed. Cleanability from bark is good. A two- to four-year-old rod is used for a furniture stick.
It grows in the European part of Russia, except for the north-west, in the Caucasus, in most of Siberia, and the Far East. Grows in floodplains, in coastal zones, on islands and young sediments, where it forms together with Russian willow dense thickets. Prefers lowland rivers, does not go far into the mountains. Tolerates some soil salinity in semi-desert river floodplains, but does not form large thickets there.
Willow five-stamen
Perfect for weaving. This species is also called laurel willow, blackthroat or broom. Grows in the European part of Russia and Siberia according to lowland marshes. In the mountains - in the Urals, in the Far East - it takes on the appearance of a bush. Reaches a height of 13 m. Grows in wet meadows and peat bogs. The bark is dark brown, later cracking. The shoots, buds and leaves seem to be covered in transparent varnish and shine in the sun.
The leaves resemble laurel leaves, oblong-oval, jagged at the edges, hard, with a shiny green upper side and dull pale lower side, with a convex midrib. There are glands on the petioles, teeth of leaves and stipules. Blooms after complete leafing.
The bark is removed from the twigs cut during the period of sap flow. After hydrothermal treatment, the rods easily split. Used for weaving furniture and small items.
American willow
The most widely cultivated willow in the Russian forest zone. It is a natural hybrid of purple willow and three-stamen willow, sharing many of their valuable qualities. American willow has two subspecies - Polish willow and giant willow. A distinctive feature is the downward curved end of the branch. It will not straighten out until the growing season ends, which comes closer to autumn. The leaves are narrow (up to 2 cm wide), long (up to 15 cm long), smooth.
Bark color in mid-autumn is purple-red varying degrees saturation, the bottom of the vine is green. American willow vine has high ornamental qualities.
Willow wavyleaf
This is a hybrid of three-stamen and twig willow. It grows as a bush reaching 5 m in height. Annual shoots are thin, flexible, red-brown in color. The leaves are lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, serrate along the edges. The leaf blade is slightly wavy. Young leaves are finely pubescent, adult leaves are glabrous or slightly pubescent. It bushes very well, is capable of producing annual twigs up to 2.5 m long, and shades the soil well, thereby facilitating the fight against weeds.
The one-year-old rod is characterized by low curvature and splits well. The flexibility of the rod is the same as that of willow tristamen. Cleanability from bark is good. Can be used for tape and stands.
Willow stipule
Hybrid of woolly shoot and twig willow. Shrub 4–6 m high. Annual shoots are quite thick, greenish: young shoots have gray dense pubescence; adults are naked, with slight pubescence in the upper part. The leaves are lab-sided, entire, with a curled edge, dark green above, grayish-pubescent below, matte. Petioles are short, pubescent. Stipules are large, sickle-shaped.
It bushes well and can produce a large annual twig. Suitable for planting along ravines and banks of reservoirs on chernozem and dark chestnut soils. The flexibility of the one-year-old twig is the same as that of the three-stamened willow, and its splitting ability is the same as that of the twig willow. The speed is average. It cleans well from bark. Can be used for tape.
Caspian willow
A slender shrub up to 5 m high. The bark is pale gray, the shoots are straight, long, bare, yellowish-white, sometimes covered with a waxy coating. Leaves are up to 10 cm long, hard, linear, somewhat widened at the top, glabrous, dull above, glaucous below, with entire edges or finely serrated at the top. The catkins bloom in May and at the same time as the leaves.
Caspian willow is widespread in the European part of our country: in the Lower Volga, Lower Don, in the Trans-Volga region (between the Volga and the Urals), in the North Caucasus, in Transcaucasia, in the southern part of Western and Eastern Siberia, in the northern regions of Central Asia.
It lives solitarily and in clumps along the banks of rivers and on unturfed hilly sands with condensation moisture. The rod is used for all kinds of weaving.
Russian willow
One of the least suitable species for weaving. Tree 6–10 m high or shrub up to 6 m high. The branches are long, young - pubescent, after a year - greenish-gray, bare. Leaves are narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate. Russian willow is widespread in the European part of our country, in Western and Eastern Siberia, and in the Far East. In the western regions and Western Europe it is replaced by twig willow. It grows mainly in floodplains of rivers, on islands and coastal shallows and sediments, where it reaches vigorous development and forms huge thickets.
Its twig is of low quality and brittle, so it is used mainly in its unbarked form.
Woolly willow
Another one of the least quality types. A shrub 4–6 m high, less often a tree up to 8 m high with strong thick branches. Young shoots are dirty-pubescent, annual shoots are large, bare, greenish-gray. Young leaves are elliptical, white-tomentose, adult leaves are lanceolate. It is found throughout the European part of Russia (except for the Caucasus, Crimea, the Black Sea region and the Lower Volga), in Siberia and the Far East. Inhabits river banks, oxbow lakes and lakes. It grows singly and in clumps, often together with Russian willow, and is a fast-growing species. Used on coarse weaving and also on sticks.
Holly willow
It is also called red shell. Not suitable for all types of products. A tree up to 10 m high or a shrub up to 6 m high. The shoots are long, thin, red-brown, and from the end of the first year are covered with a bluish waxy coating. The leaves are lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, long-pointed (6–8 times longer than wide), glandular-serrate along the edges, shiny above, greenish below. It blooms in March - April, long before the leaves appear. Red shelyuga is widespread throughout the European part of our country; it is extremely rare in the northern and eastern regions of Central Asia and Western Siberia. Inhabits river valleys on riverine sands, where it forms large thickets. Frost-resistant and drought-resistant. One of the most common in the country. One- or two-year-old twigs are used for weaving all kinds of products, with the exception of fruit and vegetable baskets, since this willow has a bitter bark.
Willow cordifolia
This type is good for small weaving. Naturally distributed in the south of Eastern Siberia and the Far East. It grows along the banks of small mountain rivers, without entering the mountains above 800 m above sea level. Found singly or in small groups. Photophilous. Annual shoots are thin, flexible, reddish-brown, bare, shiny. The buds are red-brown, with a curved tip, bare, shiny. The leaves are ovate, elliptical, shortly pointed, rounded at the base, glabrous, dark green above, bluish below. Petioles are short, pubescent. Stipules are shorter than the petiole, reniform or oblong, glandular-serrate. The annual twig is small and has little shoots. In terms of flexibility, it is second only to Buzuluk willow. It cleans well from bark.
- Russian, Caspian and pointed willows produce a thick twig, and it comes in both white and green;
- purple, twig-shaped, three-stamen and Buzuluk willows produce a medium twig, which is also white and green;
- American, Ural, wavy-leaved willow, as well as some cultivated varieties of twig-shaped willow, produce a thin white twig.
In fact, the division of willows according to the size of the twig is quite relative. IN favorable conditions(on moist, fertile soils) almost any type of willow produces long and thick twigs; in unfavorable ones (on sandy, dry soils) they produce small and thin twigs. Only the Ural and wavy-leaved willow produce invariably thin twigs.
Here you can see photos of willow species, the descriptions of which are presented above:
Planting and caring for willow (with video)
Willow is very unpretentious and grows well on clay and sandy soils, unsuitable for agricultural crops. On soils rich in humus, the rods grow long and thick and are used only for making sticks and hoops. On less fertile soils, long, flexible, strong rods with a small core grow, suitable for weaving furniture and other products. Willow plots where the twigs are removed every year can be used for nine to ten years.
To grow willow, a suitable area is first cleared of foreign objects and leveled. If areas are swampy or wet, they should be drained. To do this, ditches are dug so that the subsoil water is approximately 40 cm below the surface of the earth. It is impossible to reclaim areas used for planting willow, since its thin roots grow through the walls of drainage pipes and clog them. In autumn, it is necessary to plow the soil to a depth of 30–50 cm, and the soil after fallow should be harrowed along and across the field. Moss found on peat bogs and swampy areas must be collected and burned.
When growing willow near rivers, furrows are plowed every 70–80 cm and seedlings are planted between them. If the willow grows poorly, you need to add potassium or nitrogen fertilizers into the soil.
When planting willows, use only healthy twigs taken from the best willow species, not dried out, undamaged, and of appropriate length. Typically, one- or two-year-old twigs are used for planting, cut after the first autumn frosts or in early spring.
The length of the rods depends on the composition and moisture of the soil. So, on fertile and moist soils, the twigs are cut to a length of about 15 - 20 cm, on soils of average humidity - 25 - 30 cm, on sandy soils - 40 - 60 cm. The cut twigs should be stored in a cold, sheltered from the wind place, which is covered with moss , and in winter a layer of snow. Depending on the variety and thickness, about 3–7 thousand seedlings are grown to obtain 100 kg of twigs. The resulting seedlings are tied into bunches of 250 pieces, and then every four bunches into one large bunch. The top part of the rods is dipped in a weak solution of lime.
Seedlings are planted in sandy and heavy soil in the fall, and in light soil in the spring, when the soil begins to crumble a little. If conditions are favorable, seedlings can be planted in winter. In the plots, seedlings are first planted on prepared squares of one hectare. To regulate moisture on wet soil, rows are laid from north to south; on dry soil, rows are laid from west to east; on floodplains - along the water flow; on slopes - across. To protect the seedlings from the wind, protective fences of brushwood 50 cm high are built at a distance of 50 meters from each other. Seedlings are planted first in places protected from the wind, and then in other areas. Planting density depends on the age of the twigs, the type of willow, the composition of the soil and the quality of its cultivation. When using twigs for weaving, after a year, seedlings are planted at a distance of 60 x 15 cm from each other, after 2 - 3 years - at a distance of 60 x 40 cm or 80 x 30 cm. For growing thin twigs, seedlings are placed at a distance of 30 - 40 cm from each other.
The number of seedlings per 1 hectare depends on the distance between them and between the rows. At a distance of 3 x 10 cm, about 333 thousand seedlings are required per hectare; at a distance of 60 x 15 cm, more than 110 thousand seedlings are required; at a distance of 60 x 40 cm, almost 42 thousand seedlings are required. Landing is carried out by three people. The first marks the holes, the second sticks rods into the holes, the third compacts the earth around the seedling. In order for the seedlings to be located at the same distance from each other, a rope with knots tied on it is stretched along the row.
In well-cultivated areas, the rods can be stuck directly into the soil vertically or at an angle of 45 degrees so that the tops do not protrude from the ground. The slope of the seedlings should be in one direction. In the first year, such seedlings grow one branch, which is cut off in the fall. If the top is above the ground after the seedling takes root, several weak branches grow from it. The bush will begin to form on the surface of the ground. Such seedlings, as a rule, rot and suffer from frost and insects. Only on floodplains of rivers and sandy soil are the rods planted so that the top protrudes 10 cm above the ground surface, which prevents the seedlings from being covered with sand.
Below is a video of the correct planting of willows in the garden:
Having finished planting, they begin caring for the willows: To do this, the soil is well loosened and weeds are destroyed. Instead of dead seedlings, one-year and two-year-old twigs are planted or branches of bushes are bent to the ground and partially covered. Planting against pests. During the first frost, the frozen tops of the rods are cut off. If after rain or flood the roots are exposed, they are covered with earth. Roots covered with silt or sand are dug up. To determine the suitability of the twigs, the bark is removed from them. If there are four or five bronze-colored dots on the rod, the waste will be from 40 to 50%. Hail-damaged twigs are used as seedlings or made into ribbons. Small and weak branches are cut off, the remaining ones are cut off after 2 - 3 years. rational use And good care plots can be used for up to 30 years, and on floodplains and near rivers - much longer.
Loosening the soil, as a means of increasing its aeration and at the same time as a means of controlling weeds, is carried out to a depth of 3–5 cm. The frequency of loosening depends on the weed infestation and the mechanical condition of the soil. In the first year of planting, row spacing can be processed 4–5 times, in rows a little less often. In subsequent years, when the willow planting gains strength, the frequency of treatments can be reduced. Loosening row spacing is good to combine with hilling rows. Since stumps remain after each cutting of the rod, additional roots are formed on them after hilling, which increases the viability of the plants.
When caring for willows, organic and mineral fertilizers are applied simultaneously with loosening the soil. With good soil cultivation and fertilization, willow forms a powerful root system, intensively absorbing minerals from the soil. This is a guarantee of plant health, because with a developed root system, willow tolerates frost more easily and fights pests and diseases more successfully. Organic fertilizers supply plants with “food”, improve the physical properties of the soil, and help increase the vital activity of microorganisms.
main sources organic matter- And . They are scattered on the surface of the earth, which is then dug up. Willow's need for minerals is uneven over the years and increases during the first 5 years, after which it remains constant. The dosage of a mixture of mineral fertilizers should be established, taking into account in each individual case the fertility and composition of the soil, the type of willow, and the age of the plantation. Liming the soil has a positive effect on willow growth. The dosage of lime depends primarily on the acidity of the soil. On sandy loam soils it is required less than on loamy soils. Powdered lime is applied in dry weather, evenly scattering it over the surface of the earth.
The complex of works for caring for the “plantation” also includes cutting the rod. In the first year after planting, the rod has not yet reached a suitable size. Still, it is better to cut it off in order to get a small harvest of twigs suitable for weaving next year. Starting from the second year, the twig is cut annually or every 2–3 years if it is grown on a stick. Every 5-6 years the “plantations” are given a “rest” - the rods are not cut this year. In the second half of life, the “plantation”, especially when it is severely depleted, is given a two-year “rest”. This contributes to the viability of the willow and its sustained productivity.
The stumps remaining after cutting grow every year, acquiring bizarre shapes. They become a hindrance during work, their dead parts reduce the vegetative capacity of plants, wood-destroying fungi often appear on them, which gradually spread to the living tissue of the wood, damaging it, and various pests also appear there. Periodic removal of overgrown stumps has a beneficial effect on the viability of the plantation, as if rejuvenating it. It is not carried out often - every 7-10 years. 1–2 years after rejuvenation, it is useful to hill up the plants.
You can see how planting and caring for willows is done in the photos below:
How to deal with willow pests
You need to pay attention not only to feeding the willow and its pruning. It has quite a lot of pests, which the “planter” will also have to deal with.
This is first of all alder weevil- a small insect that pierces the bark and stem of a willow with its passages. The leaves on the shoot begin to dry, the wood of the twig is damaged, and when weaving, the twig breaks in the damaged area. The larvae of this beetle settle in lateral branches, remaining stumps, and cracks in the old bark. The main method of control is cutting down and burning the affected stems in the spring until mid-May, or in the fall, starting in September.
In second place in terms of harmfulness is willow yellow leaf beetle- a beetle that eats leaves. When the yellow leaf beetle develops massively, its larvae eat all the foliage. They most often overwinter in fallen leaves, under bark, and in dead stumps. With their wintering, leaf beetles have also determined the main method of combating them (by the way, it is also very effective against a number of other pests). After cutting the rod, the plantation is covered with straw and set on fire along with old leaves, branches, and small shoots. This is done in the fall or early spring before the buds swell in dry, windless weather, following all the rules fire safety. Such an event is especially recommended after rejuvenation of the plantation. After firing, fungal diseases are significantly reduced and the shoot-forming ability of willow is increased.
Such willow pests as common aphid, willow spider moth and other similar insects that form large colonies on young annual shoots, especially on the apical leaves, which quickly turn yellow and dry out, generally weakening the plant. They are found everywhere and affect willows of all species.
Willow has many other enemies, but numerous observations have shown that their mass distribution is observed mainly on unkempt plants weakened by weeds. Therefore, the main attention in the fight against willow diseases should be paid to their prevention. A healthy, strong, well-developing plant is resistant to diseases and pests. The basis of preventive measures is constant care of the willow, compliance with light, heat, water and air regimes.
Use of willow tree
Willow is recommended for single plantings or small groups. The weeping forms of willows (f. pendula) look especially beautiful; they look impressive against the backdrop of a lawn, on the shore of a reservoir or on alpine hills. Willow wood is used to make crafts, and in treeless regions it is also used as a building material. Leafy branches are used as animal feed.
Willow– one of the valuable tree and shrub species that have versatile, universal applications. This is unique medicinal plant. Its bark is an excellent tanning agent, and its fiber is a raw material for making burlap, ropes and mats. The ability of willow to quickly produce a large amount of wood allows it to be widely used in pulp production and in the manufacture of plastics.
In steppe regions, poor in forests, the wood of shrubby willows is used for fuel, and commercial timber assortments are obtained from tree willows. The flowering of this tree begins much earlier than that of other plants, so willow is also a valuable honey plant. In addition, the use of willows is practiced to stabilize sand, cliffs and landslides. Finally, it provides an excellent, valuable material for weaving - a twig or, as it is also called, a vine.
Willow tree pruning (with photo)
It is very easy to make a weeping crown shape yourself. To do this, gradually remove all the lower branches until the height of the trunk reaches the desired size (usually 1.2–1.5 m is left, but this is not at all necessary). Then parts of the upper branches are allowed to grow and in the fall they are all bent down, evenly distributed around the trunk, and loosely tied to it. In subsequent years, the central trunk is cut off, the branches trying to grow upward are either cut off or tied down, and the part of the branches that grows horizontally is left to grow freely. After 2–4 years, all the piping is removed and then only the branches growing upward are cut down to the very base. This funny plant resembles an open umbrella with frayed edges. This plant is placed in the garden singly and not in too large quantities. This way you can register the entrance or entrance to the site.
To give the goat willow a weeping shape, it is formed, like a standard rose, using candelabra trimming.
The height of the trunk should be no more than 1.8 - 2.5 cm.
The essence of this willow pruning is as follows: every year in the spring (April - May) the growth of the previous year is shortened to the top external kidney. This promotes growth in the horizontal direction. Willow is a fast-growing plant, and each pruning brings the growing shoots closer to the ground.
Look at the photo of willow pruning to better understand how to shape the crown of the plant:
In a well-formed plant, the branches should reach the ground in the 3rd - 4th year. Old plants are rejuvenated in the spring with heavy pruning.
Many property owners underestimate the willow and treat it as a waste or even weed plant. A quick acquaintance with some types and decorative forms can radically change this view of this interesting culture. Willow has long been used for treatment and used on the farm. Today we can afford to decorate our areas with this plant by choosing the appropriate species. This plant is better suited than many others for creating garden bonsai and unusual shapes.
Willow in flowering period
Where does the fluff come from?
Willow is a dioecious plant that has males with anthers and females that bear fruit. Bisexual specimens are less common. Earring-shaped inflorescences decorate some species in spring. Men's earrings first look like silvery silky balls, soon they are covered with bright yellow anthers, and then fall off. Willow fluff is given only by women's earrings.
This is necessary in order to disperse the seeds at a distance from the mother plant. And we usually only blame poplars for the appearance of balls of fluff. Even when these trees are not nearby. Some types of willow bloom in early spring before the leaves bloom, others bloom when the leaves turn green on the branches.
Willow or willow? One day before Palm Sunday I heard two people arguing about the name of a bush growing next to them. willow . One of them claimed that it was a willow tree. Another called the bush a willow. Both were right, because... And holly willow willow
It is customary to call it a willow and break off branches before the holiday. Holly willow (red willow, red willow, red willow)
- one of the earliest flowering species in central Russia. It is a tall shrub or tree with reddish-brown smooth branches. Flowering begins before the long narrow leaves appear. Large buds with red-brown scales are visible already in autumn.
Various furniture and boxes are woven from thin willow branches, rather than baskets, because... It is not worth storing food in them because of the bitter bark. Willow willow
also called willow. This common plant can grow as a shrub or tree. The long leaves are wider than those of Norway willow. This type of willow does not tolerate prolonged stagnation of water. Wolf willow allows you to quickly grow a hedge from cuttings stuck into the ground, which quickly take root. They need to be regularly trimmed or young flexible shoots intertwined with each other. Interesting variety "Aglaya" with large silver earrings and red branches. In early flowering varieties "Praecox"
earrings length is about 9 cm.
Do goats like goat willow? We often hear about goat willow (bredena)
. This tall tree or shrub is decorated in early spring with fluffy earrings that stay on bare branches for a week or two, and then instantly fall off. During the flowering period, a subtle aroma is felt. Later, wide leaves with a velvety-felt underside grow. They are said to resemble the skin of a goat's lips when touched. Hence the name of this type of willow. Weeping form "Pendula" - result of vaccination for a rootstock of a different type. The result is miniature trees with a trunk 60 - 170 cm high with a cascading crown. In the first years, immediately after flowering, all young shoots need to be cut short, leaving about 20 cm on each of them. Subsequently, the scion is annually cut to the outer bud, which allows you to increase the size of the crown and form a strong frame in the shape of an open umbrella. Without corrective pruning or regular blinding of the buds, the shoots quickly reach the ground, sink to it and continue to grow in the horizontal plane. The growth rate is more than two meters during the summer.
It is necessary to ensure that the rootstock does not produce its own shoots that drown out the scion.
The initially neat tree, unattended, acquired a strange shape. Long shoots of the scion felt great between the stones of the alpine hill and grew in the stagnant water of the decorative pool. Forced pruning was reduced to shortening branches and removing dried twigs
At first, you need to pay attention to the vaccination site. Immediately after purchase, remove the winding and all fasteners. In the first winters, it is advisable to insulate the scion for the winter, especially its “crown”. Non-woven material folded in several layers is suitable for this purpose.
This willow can be planted on the lawn, next to it, in a rock garden, or grown in a container. A group of several weeping willows with different heights of trunks looks impressive. There are garden forms and varieties of goat willow with white-green variegated foliage ( "Variegata" ) and broad oval outline of the leaves. Decorative men's uniform "Mas" , which is good during flowering and in the fall, when the foliage turns golden yellow. Grows into a tree or bush
"Zilberglyants" with a beautiful crown of hanging branches. The slightly wrinkled leaves have a felt underside that is pleasant to the touch. Goat willow leaves are rich in vitamin C. In earlier times, they were brewed as tea. It is useful to gargle and gargle with a decoction of the bark for various
inflammatory processes
, especially with sore throat. Abscesses and ulcers are treated with an ointment made from powdered willow bark and butter. Forming brittle willow Brittle willow (broom)- a fast-growing tree with a tent-shaped crown. Lanceolate leaves up to 15 cm long bloom at the time of flowering. In autumn they turn lemon yellow.
So I formed a brittle willow, which grew to the wires
I consider this species the most suitable for creating garden bonsai. Cultural form of brittle willow "Bulat » (« Bullata ") tolerates corrective pruning very well. You can “cut” different geometric shapes from it. At the end of winter, the bark of young shoots begins to turn green, so in early spring the crown acquires a pleasant greenish tint. Willow does not produce fluff, which is important for people with allergies.
Option for forming the crown of willow brittle "Bulat"
Who bends the willow branches?
Twisted trunk and branches of matsudana willow - distinctive feature these trees or shrubs. The frost resistance of the species is satisfactory: in severe winters, freezing occurs above the level of snow cover. Some gardeners additionally insulate their plants for the winter. Popular decorative form " Tortuosa » - a tree or bush with a twisting trunk and olive-gray branches. The leaves are also twisted in a spiral. The plant does not do well in a windy place, especially in an icy northeast wind. Willow leaves are burned during spring frosts. Without corrective pruning, the tree becomes thickened, which makes it difficult to admire the pattern of intertwined and twisted branches.
Willow tortuous "Tortuosa"
The tortuous willow of the Ural selection with strongly curved branches of olive or reddish-brown color and twisted leaves tolerates our climate better. Tree height "Sverdlovskaya winding 1" about 4 m. It has a slightly weeping shape. There are winter-hardy low-growing forms with a weeping and pyramidal shape. They tolerate pruning well.
When propagating, it is better to root short cuttings.
Twisty willow always looks so unusual
Low growing willows
The choice of low-growing ornamental willows is huge. Shaggy willow (woolly)
in the Moscow region it grows no higher than one meter. In spring, earrings appear. The grayish-green leaves are round in shape and have white felt pubescence, so the entire bush appears blue and fluffy. This slow-growing willow is afraid of cold winds, waterlogging and prolonged drought. After the end of sap flow, the frozen tips of the branches are removed. Drought resistant up to 1 meter high, it is better to plant it on poor soil, perhaps among rockery stones. On nutritious soil it fattens, which prevents the appearance of dense crown cushions. Most of the shortened trunk is hidden underground, and we see only numerous branches of the crown. Earrings appear before narrow dark green leaves, pubescent on the underside. Dense bushes are suitable for borders. Peat is added to the planting holes.
This low-growing willow tree needs very little space.
Purple willow "Gracilis" (Nana) is a ball up to 1.5 m high made of thin flexible branches of a purple hue. They arise from a shortened stem. The leaves are narrow, lanceolate, silvery-bluish in color. earrings are bright, reddish in color. This willow is more elegant in a bright place. In the shade, the shoots stretch out and the crown thins out. The plant grows better in sandy soils with the addition of lime. Suitable for this culture wet places, and arid. In harsh winters, the beautiful bush may freeze slightly, but then quickly recovers. Pruning is easy and allows you to create various garden shapes.
Willow herbaceous (dwarf willow) up to 15 cm high (most often 6 - 7 cm) decorated with tiny earrings and small rounded leaves with a relief pattern of veins. This is a frost-resistant species that is incredibly interesting. The herbaceous willow is sometimes called the smallest tree in the world. Its homeland is considered not only in the Arctic latitudes, but also in the highlands of the Alps and Pyrenees. There this willow almost completely fits into a layer of moss, hiding from strong winds. This species can be recommended to bonsai connoisseurs.
Tundra species include willow reticulum - a strongly branched, low-growing, frost-resistant shrub with branches 30–50 cm long that spread along the ground. It grows slowly. Dark branches with small leathery leaves with a relief mesh pattern. Young leaves are pubescent. In spring, reddish catkins stick vertically upward. This species looks great among a scattering of stones, where low carpet cushions form over time. Reticulate willow is ideal for rock gardens.
Is there enough room for white willow?
We are often forced to refuse to plant spectacular large trees. (silver willow, willow ) from among them. This is a powerful tree up to 25 meters high. Young leaves are silvery-white. For small areas, smaller garden forms have been developed.
Such a white willow is unlikely to fit in a garden plot
Weeping white willow up to 7 m high, it attracts with its rare beauty of a weeping crown with a skirt of branches right down to the ground. An unpretentious winter-hardy plant needs regular watering and good lighting. This willow will decorate any decorative pond. It can be planted as a tapeworm on the lawn.
White silver willow up to 12 m high, it has silvery foliage. She wins when landing next to plants with burgundy leaves.
White willow "Chermezina" ("Chermesina" ) - a tree up to 7 meters high with orange-red bark and gray-green leaves, which can be grown as a tall shrub. The plant is pruned at least once every two years, removing old, faded branches, which provokes the appearance of bright young shoots.
The medicinal properties of white willow can be judged by the fact that in the first half of the 19th century, the glycoside salicin was isolated from willow bark, after which salicylic acid was obtained. Later, aspirin was synthesized on its basis. Traditional medicine from different countries uses teas, infusions and decoctions of white willow bark as an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and antifungal agent. The bark infusion is used to rinse the mouth during inflammatory processes.
I haven’t named very many other types of willow that could decorate our plots. It is worth taking a closer look at this wonderful plant and using its amazing ability to adapt to any living conditions. When no other plant could survive. Even in the most unfavorable situations the willow continues to live.
Loading...
