What you should know about willows
Willows are a large group of plants classified as members of the Salix or Salicaceae family. From the beautiful cascade of the willow tree to the fuzzy catkins of the pussy willow, these plants are popular and plentiful. Generally, they grow quickly in wetlands and along streams.
They came to mind this week as I noticed the yellow green on a few streamside willows as we drove down a back road on the way back from a jaunt to Quakertown. Willows are an early signal of spring’s approach.
As I mentioned, big (30 to 40 feet tall, 35-foot spread), quick-growing and graceful, my favorite, the weeping willow (Salix babylonica) is not without problems. The tree may mature quickly but it is not long lived, generally dying off at 25 to 30 years of age. It is a native of Asia with an invasive root system. It is messy, dropping lots of twigs, and it is prone to disease and insect problems.
So why mention them at all? Despite their problems, they are very attractive and do have some useful qualities. Witness the old blue willow china pattern, woven willow baskets and fences, and the use of willow as a painkiller (aspirin) and as a very effective rooting aid — willow water is a traditional rooting hormone,
There was a huge willow in the front yard of our current home and we enjoyed it for several years. However, age brings problems and the trunk rotted from the inside and it became a hazard as the huge tree was held up by only a few inches of live wood. It was sad to cut
it down, especially since so many birds and small animals found refuge in its limbs. Another unanticipated problem was the root system. As the base and roots rotted, a huge crater developed. Last year, we suffered nasty, aggressive stinging yellow jackets, making that section of the yard most unappealing. Weeping willow is now a plant I enjoy in other people’s yards, admired from afar.
But then there are other willows. The curly willow or tortured willow, corkscrew willow (Salix matsudana ‘Tortusa’) is another attractive Asian native. It too grows into a tree if allowed to grow unpruned
and has a short life of about 15 years. The branches are twisted and often seen as floral arrangement stems.
Fran rooted the willow from a centerpiece and we kept them as shrubs for many years. Again, beautiful but with aggressive tendencies that can quickly displace natives in the area.
Something symbolic of spring but not so damaging to the native landscape is the Salix discolor, the American pussy willow or glaucous willow. This plant is considered a quick-growing small tree or large shrub. I found several references to some admirable qualities. For example, the catalog Prairie Moon Nursery says:
“These early bloomers are a rich food source for pollinators emerging from their winter nests. Pussy Willow is particularly appealing to small native bees. Mourning Cloak and Viceroy butterflies utilize this shrub as a host plant. Many birds take shelter in the branches, while others dive through the boughs for lunch. Wood turtles and snapping turtles consume the fallen leaves. Rabbits, deer, and elk will help trim this small tree.”
This pussy willow does have similar tendencies to its larger cousins: potentially invasive root system, can disrupt dry lain stone or brick areas, quick growing and a bit messy. But aren’t the catkins worth the bother. Catkins are those small fuzzy buds that burst forth in spring. Note the this plant is dioecious, having male and female plants. It is the male plant that is most prized for its showier catkins.
There are beautiful non-native options, Salix gracilistyla ‘Mount Aso’ (Japanese pink pussy willow) is a bushy deciduous shrub boasting a profusion of fuzzy rosypink catkins. Salix gracilistyla ‘Melanostachys’ black pussy willow has male catkins that emerge purpleblack in color with bright red anthers before turning yellow.
So, know what you are planting and be prepared to cut back every few years to avoid large plants. Suckering is also a problem that should be addressed annually to avoid dense, crowded shrubs.
As for me, this year I’ll settle for a few young stems from neighbor Jack’s bush. Pussy willow roots easily in damp soil or water. Perhaps I’ll pick up an interesting stem or two at the local florist.