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Weeping willow blossom. Trees and shrubs. Application in medicine

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 deposits of the 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 the temperate and cold zones of the 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 the Lower Cretaceous deposits of the Mesozoic era; in the Tertiary period, willow was already widespread. A description of fossil willows found in Upper Cretaceous deposits showed that over many millennia this plant simplified its internal organization, 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 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 that are most common in the middle zone.

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. 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. One-year-old rods are used for weaving, and two- and three-year-old rods are used for sticks.

Red-flowered willow (red-flowered willow, common willow, sandy willow)

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 low-twined, more flexible than that of willow tristamen, and of 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 the steppe zone it 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. It grows in floodplains, in coastal zones, on islands and young sediments, where it forms dense thickets together with Russian willow. Prefers lowland rivers and 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. It grows in the European part of Russia and in Siberia in lowland swamps. 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.

The color of the bark in mid-autumn is purple-red of varying degrees of 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. A tree 6–10 m high or a 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 going into 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 conditions (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 to 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, 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. With rational use and good care, the 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 the rows is good to combine with hilling the 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 that intensively absorbs 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.

The main sources of organic substances are 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 in compliance with all fire safety rules. 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 a 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 upper outer bud. 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.

Family: willows (Salicaceae).

Motherland

Willow is found throughout Europe, grows in Russia, except the Far North, and also in Central Asia.

Form: deciduous tree or shrub.

Description

Willows are deciduous trees or shrubs, individual species of which can differ significantly from each other in external characteristics. The genus “Willow” has approximately 300 species, many of which are found in cultivation. As a rule, willows are distinguished by a transparent, see-through crown, thin, flexible shoots and narrow, pointed, elongated leaves. Willow flowers are small. Most willows reach a height of 10-15 m, but there are also tall trees - up to 30-40 m in height, as well as dwarf willows.

White willow (silver willow) , or willow . (S. alba). A large plant from 15 to 25 m tall and from 8 to 15 m wide. The trunk of the white or silver willow is powerful, the bark is gray. The crown is initially narrow-columnar, later spreading and widely rounded. The branches of the white willow are directed upward, the side shoots hang down slightly. The leaves are lanceolate, silvery-gray when blooming, then grayish-green. White willow flowers are yellow, with a pleasant aroma, bloom in late April and early May. White willow grows in sun or partial shade, is winter-hardy and wind-resistant. White willow grows quickly; lives up to 100 years. In nature, it is found throughout Europe, up to the Urals (except for the Far North). Silver or white willow has a weeping form (willow ‘Pendula’). The weeping willow is distinguished not only by its very beautiful crown, but also by the color of its shoots: in the spring the bark is bright yellow, and in the summer it is red-brown. The leaves of the weeping willow are also very decorative - narrow, light green, pointed. Weeping white willow easily propagates (summer and lignified cuttings).

Goat willow (S. caprea). A fast-growing large shrub or small tree from 3 to 12 m tall and 3 to 5 m wide with a short curved trunk and a rounded crown. The branches of goat willow grow vertically, the side shoots are spread out and raised. Goat willow leaves are round or broadly elliptical, light green, gray below, slightly pubescent. The flowers are yellowish-silver with a pleasant honey aroma. The root system of goat willow is usually superficial. After 20-30 years of growth, goat willow becomes brittle. In nature, the plant is found in Europe and Central Asia. Goat willow is propagated by seeds, and decorative forms by grafting.

Willow brittle (S. fragilis). A medium-sized tree (sometimes a shrub) with a height of 5 to 15 m and a width of 6 to 8 m. Often brittle willow has a curved shape with several trunks. The crown is asymmetrical, rounded, openwork. Brittle willow grows quickly. The leaves are long, elongated, lanceolate; dark green above, bluish or pale green below; greenish-yellow in autumn. Brittle willow flowers are greenish-yellow, with a pleasant aroma, bloom in April-May. The shoots are yellowish or brownish, glossy, fragile, and take root easily. The willow root system is fragile, superficial, and wide. Winter-hardy, not wind-resistant. In nature, brittle willow is found from Europe to western Asia. The plant propagates by cuttings.

(S. purpurea). Large shrub from 2 to 10 m tall and wide with numerous shoots. The shape can be different - dome-shaped, funnel-shaped, umbrella-shaped. The shoots are densely growing and take root easily. The leaves of the purple willow are narrow-lanceolate, pale green above, bluish below; in autumn pale or golden yellow. The flowers of the purple willow are slightly curved, with a pleasant aroma, reddish, later turning yellow; bloom in April. The root system is deep (unlike most species of willows, which have a superficial root system). Well tolerated. Winter-hardy, wind-resistant. In nature, purple willow is found in central Europe and northern Central Asia.

Holly willow, or red-faced, or willow (S. acutifolia). Shrub or tree up to 8 m tall with an oval crown. The shoots are purple-red, flexible, with a bluish bloom. The leaves of willow are long, linear-lanceolate, pointed; dark green above, shiny, bluish below. Norway willow is one of the most undemanding species of willow in terms of growing conditions. Holly willow propagates by cuttings or twigs. Krasnotal is frost-resistant.

Eared willow (S. aurita). Wide, slow-growing shrub from 0.5 to 2 m in height and width. The shoots are curving or horizontally spread, not dense. The leaves of eared willow are obovate, dull green above, bluish-green below, pubescent; become pale yellow in autumn. The root system is superficial. Winter-hardy and wind-resistant.

Ash willow (S. cinerea). Wide, semicircular, dense, large, fast-growing shrub from 3 to 5 m in height and width. The shoots are vertically growing, the side shoots are prostrate, partly hanging down to the ground. The leaves of the ashy willow are large, ovate, silky, bluish-green, do not change color in the fall, and fall in November. The flowers are elegant, silvery, later yellow with a sweet aroma, bloom in March-April. The root system of willow ash is superficial and powerful. Very frost-resistant, wind-resistant. Ash willow is found in nature in Central Europe.

Willow five-stamen , or blackened (S. pentandra). Tree or shrub up to 12 m tall with a rounded, dense crown. The leaves of willow five-stamen are narrowly ovate, pointed, long, leathery, dark green above, shiny, yellowish-green below. It blooms later than other types of willows - at the end of May. Gray fluffy catkins on female plants persist throughout the winter. Grows slowly; the plant is frost-resistant. In nature, five-stamen willow grows throughout the European part of Russia, in Western Siberia.

Babylonian willow (S. babilonica). A tree up to 15 m tall, distinguished by a very beautiful, large, weeping crown up to 10 m wide. The branches of this species of willow are hanging, flexible, yellowish-green, shiny. The leaves of the Babylonian willow are narrow-lanceolate, long, pointed, green above, shiny, bluish below. Babylonian willow grows quickly and is undemanding to growing conditions. The homeland of Babylonian willow is Central and Northern China.

Rosemary willow (S. rosmarinifolia). Wide semi-dwarf shrub from 1 to 1.5 (2) m tall and wide. The side shoots are initially vertically growing, later arched. Rosemary willow grows slowly. The leaves are linear-lanceolate, pale green above, white below, pubescent (fall in November). Willow begins to bloom in April; the flowers are yellow and fragrant. Frost-resistant, undemanding, wind-resistant. In nature, the plant is found in Europe, Central and Central Asia.

alpine willow (S. alpina). Dwarf willow with erect, densely leafy branches. Leaves are obovate. Alpine willow is unpretentious and grows on any substrate (in nature it grows on calcareous soils). In order for the plant to maintain a compact shape, it must be trimmed. Naturally, alpine willow grows in the highlands of Central and Southern Europe.

creeping willow (S. repens argentea). A prostrate shrub less than 1 m high. The leaves are elliptical, silky, up to 2 cm long. Often grafted on a standard.

Growing conditions

Willows are light-loving and develop better in the sun, but some willows are shade-tolerant (goat willow, for example). Willows grow on different, not very fertile soils.

White willow prefers fresh or moist, fertile soils.

Goat willow grows well in sun or partial shade, is wind-resistant and winter-hardy, but can be sensitive to spring frosts. Goat willow grows in fresh, loamy soils; on light soils it drops its leaves earlier. High lime content in the soil should not be allowed.

Brittle willow grows in sun or partial shade, prefers fresh or moist substrates, from acidic to slightly alkaline; sandy loam, deep, with a small lime content. Purple willow grows in sun or partial shade (it tolerates shade better than other willows). This type of willow is undemanding to soil and grows on different substrates - from relatively dry to moist, from neutral to very alkaline.

Holly willow (willow) grows even on poor, sandy soils.

Eared willow grows in sun and partial shade and prefers cool, damp places. Eared willow grows on any fertile substrate with a small lime content.

Ash willow grows in sun and partial shade and loves cool places. Ash willow prefers acidic, moderately fertile substrates, from moist to damp, and does not like lime.

Rosemary willow prefers sun and grows on any substrate from moderately dry to moist.

The following types of willow tolerate flooding well: white willow, brittle willow, purple willow, five-stamen willow, and ashen willow.

Goat willow and holly willow do not tolerate flooding.

Application

Willow cuttings and willow seedlings can be purchased at a garden center or ordered online.

Diseases and pests

Willow is a resistant plant, rarely affected by diseases and pests.

Popular varieties

Forms and varieties of white willow

'Argentea'. Large tree up to 25 m tall. The leaves are shiny, first silvery, then dark green; in autumn - yellow. Numerous flowers bloom early in spring.

'Coerulea'. Large variety of willow (up to 20 m tall). The leaves are bluish-green above, lighter below.

'Limpde'. A large tree up to 40 m tall with a wide (up to 12 m) narrowly conical crown. The shoots are yellowish, later light brown. The leaves are lanceolate, long, green. Willow ‘Limpde’ flowers bloom in April-May. The plant prefers moist alkaline soils, is light-loving, frost-resistant, grows quickly, and does not tolerate waterlogged soils.

'Tristis'. A fast-growing tree from 15 to 20 m tall and 15 m wide with a wide, weeping, very decorative crown. The branches of willow ‘Tristis’ are yellowish. The leaves are shiny, green, later lighter, bluish below. The flowers are yellow, with a pleasant aroma. Willow ‘Tristis’ grows in sun or partial shade, in fresh or moist, fertile, alkaline soils. It is possible to grow this variety of willow on clay substrates or soils with excessive moisture. Willow ‘Tristis’ is winter-hardy, but young plants freeze over in cold winters. It is better to replant the plant in the spring before the buds open.

'Sericea'. A tree about 10 m high with a rounded crown and silvery leaves. It grows slowly.

Forms and varieties of goat willow

'Mas'. A large shrub or small tree from 5 to 8 m tall and from 3 to 6 m wide with a rounded crown and outstretched branches. The numerous, pleasantly fragrant flowers of the willow ‘Mas’ bloom in April (first silvery, then yellow).

'Pendula'. A small tree 1.5 to 2 or 3 m tall and 1.5 to 2 m wide. The crown is bell-shaped or umbrella-shaped, the branches hang down strongly. Weeping willow ‘Pendula’ blooms in April, the flowers are numerous, silvery, then yellow, with a pleasant aroma. Weeping goat willow needs to be pruned; without shaping it will not look nice. Goat willow ‘Pendula’ is propagating.

'Silberglanz'. A large shrub (rarely a tree) from 4 to 5 m tall and wide with outstretched branches. The flowers of this willow variety are large, silvery-yellow (April).

There are other varieties of goat willow (variations in leaf shape): variegated willow (variegata), broad-oval willow (orbiculata), round-leaved willow (rotundata), elliptical willow (elliptica).

Forms and varieties of purple willow

Forms and varieties of creeping willow

'Argentea'. A very decorative free-growing dwarf shrub from 0.3 to 0.5 m tall and up to 1 m wide. The leaves are elliptical or oval, small, white when blooming, with silky, silvery, shiny pubescence, later grayish; pale yellow in autumn. The flowers are first silvery, then yellow (bloom in late April-early May). The shoots of creeping willow ‘Argentea’ are thin, elastic, gray, pubescent, and later black. The plant prefers sun, cool, damp places. Creeping willow ‘Argentea’ is usually winter-hardy and does not tolerate dryness and high temperatures; wind resistant. Soils creeping willow ‘Argentea’ prefers fresh or moist, acidified to alkaline, rich in humus, sandy or sandy loam; creeping willow will not grow on heavy soils.

Life Form:	shrub or tree
Dimensions (height), m:	5-10
Crown diameter, m:	3-6
Crown shape:	Widely spreading. The bark is greenish-gray, smooth, fissured at the bottom of the trunk
Growth pattern:	Grows very quickly
Leaf Shape:	Slightly wrinkled, from oblong-ellitic to broadly oval, up to 10 cm in length
Summer color:	Dark green above, gray-felt below
Autumn color:	Yellow
Flowers (color):	Dioecious. On female trees the catkins are gray-green, on male trees they are bright yellow
Decorative:	Male specimens are especially decorative during flowering.
Application:	Single plantings, groups, edges, plantings along the banks of reservoirs
Relation to light:	Relatively shade-tolerant
Relation to soil:	Undemanding to soil fertility
Frost resistance:	Frost-resistant

Weeping willow, holly,or willow, red willow, red willow, red willow, willow - Salix acutifolia Willd.

A tall shrub or tree up to 10 m tall with dark trunk bark, an oval crown, medium density and purple-red, twig-like, flexible shoots, covered with an easily erasable bluish coating. The bark on the inside is lemon-yellow, wormwood-bitter. Flower buds are large, 10-19 mm long, brownish or reddish, initially hairy in whole or in part, later bare, elongated into a sharp, bare, often bent to the side spout. Leaf buds are 4-6 mm long, lanceolate, brownish-red or variegated, glabrous or slightly pubescent, pressed to the shoot. The leaf primordia in the flower buds are completely absent. The core of the shoots is whitish with a reddish tint.

The leaves are lanceolate, 6-15 cm long. Pointed, wedge-shaped at the base. Shiny above, bluish or greenish below, glabrous. The edges are glandular-serrate. Stipules lanceolate, acute, serrate. Petioles are yellow-red.

The flowers of the weeping willow are arranged in earrings. The bracts are covered with dense tomentose hairs with a black tip. 2 free stamens and 1 posterior nectary; anthers yellowish. The ovary is almost sessile, conical, usually glabrous, with 2 elongated whole leaves. It blooms in April-May or June, before the leaves bloom. The fruits ripen in May-June. Weeping willow propagates by cuttings.

The range covers Central and Eastern Europe, Western Siberia, the western part of Eastern Siberia, and Central Asia.

The branches of the weeping willow, as well as the roots, reaching a length of about 15 m, are used for weaving.

- one of the best rocks planted to consolidate shifting sands.

One of the most undemanding species of willow in terms of growing conditions. Due to its high decorative value, weeping willow is widely used in gardening and park construction in groups, on forest edges, near ponds, and in hedges. This species is as frost-resistant as goat willow, grows on poor dry soils, even on sand, but does not tolerate stagnant water.

Weeping willow is easily propagated by cuttings and even twigs. It is suitable for hedges; Single plants and group plantings look beautiful. Brightly colored branches are also good in winter against a background of white snow. Thanks to its powerful root system, it is often used to secure slopes, landslides, and sandy banks of rivers and reservoirs.

It also has economic significance: its flexible long rod is used to make wicker furniture, baskets and other products. Weeping willow is also an early honey plant.

Back

A wonderful tree, widespread throughout our country, is willow. It is unusually beautiful: a powerful trunk, thin hanging branches, graceful elongated leaves of various shades of green, flowers in the form of fluffy earrings. Perhaps every resident of the northern hemisphere is well acquainted with willow, and many grow it in their garden plots.

The tree has long served as inspiration for poets, writers and artists. A. Fet, S. Yesenin, A. Akhmatova, F. Tyutchev and many other poets dedicated their lines to him, and G. H. Andersen wrote a fairy tale called “Under the Willow Tree”. The most famous painting depicting this plant is considered to be “Weeping Willow” by C. Monet, however, the tree can be seen in many landscapes.

Willow is also known in many religions. In Christianity, the willow replaces palm branches on Palm Sunday. In Judaism, the tree plays the role of one of the symbols of the holiday of Sukkot. According to Chinese mythology, a jug with a willow branch that drives out demons is held in the hands of the merciful goddess Guanyin. Willow trees are often mentioned in folklore. Japanese legend says that where the broom grows, a ghost lives, and the British consider the willow to be an ominous plant that haunts travelers.

The unusual tree is famous not only for its mystical, but also for its down-to-earth, practical properties. Willow is widely used in medicine, industry and production, and agriculture.

Medicine. Willow leaves and bark were used to treat fever back in Ancient Egypt and Greece, and Native Americans used broom infusions as a pain reliever. Later, scientists discovered a number of useful substances in different parts of the plant: tannin, salidroside, salicin, flavonoids. And the well-known salicylic acid, from which aspirin was subsequently made, was first discovered in willow.
Production. Since ancient times, thin flexible branches have been used by residents of the northern hemisphere for weaving furniture, fish traps, fences and fences. Wicker weaving has survived to this day. Nowadays, baskets, chairs, boxes, and cradles are most often made from willow twigs. Wicker items are extremely beautiful and fit perfectly into many interior styles. Willow wood is also suitable for making paper, rope and even fabric, and eco-friendly fashion in recent years has revived interest in natural willow products.
Agriculture and environment. Weeping trees are also widely used in agriculture. Firstly, willow is an excellent honey plant, especially valuable for its early flowering. Secondly, the branches and leaves are suitable for livestock feed. Broom is often planted along sliding banks or slopes of ravines. Thanks to its long, twisting roots, the plant copes well with erosion. The vitality and durability of the tree sometimes even becomes an environmental problem; for example, in Australia, willow was widely used to strengthen the banks, planting huge areas with it. The willow has taken root well and has replaced many native plants. In addition, the tree is used for wastewater treatment, the formation of protective forest belts, and the drainage of wetlands.
Gardening and landscape design. Willow, and especially some of its varieties and species, is an excellent ornamental crop that can decorate any area. In addition, the tree is unusually unpretentious and grows quickly. Many famous designers include willow in their compositions, creating gardens in a romantic style.

Botanists classify the genus willow (Latin: Salix) in the willow family (Latin: Saliceae). The genus includes woody plants and shrubs, which can be deciduous or, much less commonly, evergreen. Representatives of willows vary greatly: some of them are large trees with a powerful trunk, reaching 40 meters in height, others are dwarf creeping shrubs. The appearance is determined by the area of growth. Tall species are found in the temperate and subtropical zones of Europe, Asia and America, and dwarf willows grow mainly in the north.

Most often, willow has a large weeping crown, consisting of a large number of elongated branched stems covered with bark of various shades: from light green to dark purple. The bark of young shoots and trunks is usually smooth, but begins to crack with age. The leaves, with rare exceptions, are arranged spirally and sit on a short petiole with two stipules. Their shape is very diverse: most often there are species with linear and narrow-lanceolate leaves, a little less often - with elliptical and even rounded ones. The edge of the leaf blade is usually decorated with small or large teeth, although there are species with smooth edges.

Willow is a dioecious plant with small male and female flowers collected in dense inflorescences-catkins. Some willows bloom in early spring, before the leaves appear, others a little later, in May-June. After flowering, the fruit ripens in the form of a capsule with a large number of small seeds with a thick white tuft. The seeds are carried by the wind over long distances and, once in water or silt, remain viable for a long time.

Ornamental species, hybrids and varieties of willow

In total, there are at least 550 species of different willows in the genus. Such diversity is the result of natural mutations and human activity. Over a long period of study of the plant, many hybrids have been bred. Even botanists often find it difficult to classify one species or another, let alone ordinary amateur gardeners.

And yet, we can identify several of the most common species suitable for landscaping parks, squares and garden plots.

Willow white or silver(lat. Salix alba) is a large (up to 30 m in height) tree with thick cracking bark and a spreading openwork crown. The plant is widespread in Russia and the former Soviet republics, as well as in Western Europe, China and Asia Minor. It is found mainly along the banks of rivers and other bodies of water and often occupies huge areas. It is very unpretentious and grows quickly in favorable conditions; in the northern regions, young shoots may freeze a little. It is durable (some specimens reach 100 years or more), tolerates both lack and excess of moisture, and is undemanding to the soil. Excellent for landscaping large, including urban, areas, and can be used to produce vines.

Distinctive features of the species are thin hanging branches, painted silver-gray; with age, the shade of the shoots changes to brown. The bright green, smooth leaves have a lanceolate shape and a finely serrated edge; the reverse side of the leaf is silvery, slightly pubescent. Round inflorescences-catkins develop in the spring, simultaneously with the leaves.

I. white

The widespread use of the crop has led to the emergence of various forms, varieties and varieties.

Some varieties:

Yellow (var. vitellina) - large rounded crown and golden yellow or reddish shoots.
Brilliant (var. sericea) is a medium-sized tree with graceful, emerald-gray foliage.
Gray (var. caerulea) – branches point upward at a slight angle, bluish-gray leaves.

Silver (f. argentea) - young leaves have a beautiful, silver-gray tint on both sides, later the front side of the leaf becomes rich green, the back side remains bluish.
Yellow weeping (f. vitellina pendula) - very thin and long shoots that fall to the ground.
Oval (f. ovalis) – leaves of an unusual elliptical shape.

Among the large number of varieties of white willow, the following can be distinguished:

"Golden Ness" (Golden Cape) is a variety that received an award from the Royal Horticultural Society. The plant is especially attractive in winter when graceful golden-yellow branches are exposed.
"Tristis" (Tristis) is a fast-growing willow with a classic appearance: narrow silver-green leaves on thin drooping branches. It is highly frost-resistant and recommended for areas with cold winters.
"Yelverton" (Yelverton) is a low tree or shrub with bright red-orange shoots.
"Aurea" is a large plant with unusual yellow-green leaves.
"Hutchinson's Yellow" is a shrub reaching 5 m in height, decorated with graceful shoots of a reddish-yellow hue.
"Britzensis" (Britzenskaya) - shoots of a red-brown hue.
"Chermesina Cardinalis" (Chermesina cardinalis) is a very showy variety with scarlet branches.

I. "Golden Ness", I. "Yelverton", I. "Aurea", I. "Chermesina Cardinalis"

Babylonian willow or weeping willow(lat. Salix babylonica) is a tree characterized by brittle yellowish-green drooping branches. Distributed in the subtropical zone - Central Asia, the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, the southern coast of Crimea. Contrary to the name, the birthplace of the culture is China, from where it was transported to other regions. It reaches a height of 12 m, the diameter of the crown is about 6 m. In addition to long stems that reach the surface of the ground, it stands out with beautiful glossy leaves, bright green on top and silvery below. It is very decorative, as it has a short leafless period: the leaves fall only in January, and already grow back at the end of February. Babylonian willow is especially beautiful in early spring, when it is covered with fresh young greenery.

I. Babylonian

Unfortunately, the species is not frost-hardy and cannot grow in regions with cold winters. Otherwise, the crop has no special preferences: it does not require special soils and easily tolerates short periods of drought.

One of the varieties is widely known:

Beijing (var. pekinensis) - distributed mainly in China, Korea and Eastern Siberia. Also known as Matsuda willow (lat. Salix matsudana).

There are many more varieties of weeping willow:

"Tortuosa" (Tortuosa) - a plant with interestingly curved, as if twisted, brown-green branches and bright fresh foliage.
“Crispa” (Crispa) - this variety does not have curled shoots, but leaves that form intricate curls on the branches.
"Tortuosa Aurea" - twisted red-orange stems.

I. "Tortuosa", I. "Crispa", I. "Tortuosa Aurea"

Purple willow(lat. Salix purpurea) is a plant whose popular name is yellowberry. This species is found throughout the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere. It is a medium-high (on average 3 m, maximum size - 5 m) deciduous shrub with dense purple or yellowish shoots directed upward. Elongated, bright green on top and silver-green on the back, the leaves are arranged in pairs, and not alternately, as in other species. The inflorescences, which appear in early spring, are purple in color, hence the name of the taxon. Purple willow is often used for wickerwork and in ornamental gardening as a hedge.

I. purpurea

The most famous forms:

Graceful (f. gracilis) is a fast-growing shrub with elongated bluish leaves.
Hanging (f. pendula) is a shrub with a wide crown formed by thin hanging shoots of purple color.
Dwarf (f. nana) - distinguished by its compact size and neat spherical crown.

Among the varieties are the following:

"Norbury" (Norbury) is an elegant low-growing variety.
"Goldstones" - shoots of a beautiful golden hue.
"Irette" is a low shrub with narrow gray-green leaves.

Goat willow(lat. Salix caprea) is often popularly called delirium or broom. The official name refers to the plant's consumption by goats and sheep. Wild specimens are often found in the temperate zone of Europe and Russia, as well as in Siberia and the Far East. Unlike other species, it prefers to settle in dry places, however, if this is not possible, it can also grow along the banks of reservoirs or in swamps.

This is a large (up to 13 m in height) tree or shrub with spreading powerful branches and oval bright green leaves. The shape of the leaves differs from other types of willow and rather resembles a bird cherry. Earring inflorescences appear in early spring, even before the leaves appear, and numerous seeds ripen in May.

I. goat

The plant is widely used in medicine, agriculture, construction and crafts. At the same time, a number of decorative forms and varieties have been obtained, the main application of which is landscaping of various territories:

"Kilmarnock" (Kilmanrock) is a low shrub with long drooping branches, greenish oval leaves and yellow or gray inflorescences.
“Weeping Sally” is a variety similar to the previous one, but more compact in size.
"Silberglanz" (Silver gloss) - elongated leaves with a silvery coating on the surface.
“Gold Leaf” - the leaves of this variety, on the contrary, have a golden hue.

(lat. Salix integra) is an East Asian species, most often found in Japan, China and Korea. It is distinguished by its modest (no more than 3 m in height) size and compact shape. Some botanists consider the plant to be a species of purple willow. It stands out as spreading. reddish or yellowish. branches and narrow leaves with practically absent petioles.

Often found as an ornamental crop, the standard form is especially common. The most popular variety - "Hakuro-nishiki" (Hakuro Nishiki) or "Nishiki Flamingo" (Nishiki Flamingo) is known for its compact size and beautiful variegated leaves in cream, pink and green shades. These varieties are often grafted onto the more frost-resistant goat willow and grown in the middle zone without shelter.

I. whole-leaved "Hakuro-nishiki"

Willow brittle(lat. Salix fragilis) is a species familiar to Russia, widespread in Europe and Western Asia. The plant was introduced to North America and Australia, where it became a weed, displacing native species.

It is a large (up to 20 m) deciduous tree with a long life expectancy. The spreading crown consists of thin branches that easily break with a loud crack (hence the name of the species). Broken branches that fall into the water take root easily, and when the current carries them further, they form new colonies. The shoots bear elongated bright green leaves.

I. brittle

There are several varieties found in culture:

Bubble (var. bullata) - a beautiful crown with soft rounded hills, a bit like a giant broccoli.
Basfordiana (var. basfordiana) is a hybrid with bright, yellow-orange branches.
Rousseliana (var. russelliana) is a tall, fast-growing variety.
Reddish (var. furcata) is a dwarf willow with bright red inflorescences.

Decorative varieties:

"Rouge Ardennais" (Red Ardennais) - showy reddish-orange branches.
"Bouton Aigu" (Thin bud) - shoots from olive green to purple.
"Belgium Red" (Belgian red) - burgundy shoots and emerald green leaves.

Willow(lat. Salix viminalis) is usually used to produce vines, but there are also decorative forms. This is a tall (up to 10 m) shrub or tree, distinguished by long flexible shoots that become lignified with age. Young branches are covered with short silvery hair that disappears over time. Very narrow alternate leaves appear in April, simultaneously with golden-yellow inflorescences.

Holly willow(lat. Salix acutifolia), also called red willow, grows in most of Russia. This is a deciduous tree or shrub, the maximum height of which is 12 m. Most often, the plant is found along the banks of rivers and lakes, but it can also settle outside water bodies. It is distinguished by thin long shoots of brown or reddish color and narrow two-color leaves: bright green above, grayish-silver below. The plant is especially beautiful in early spring, when the fluffy catkins bloom, and this happens even before the leaves appear. The most famous variety - "Blue Streak" (Blue Stripe) stands out for its elegant bluish-green leaves.

I. twig-shaped, I. holly

creeping willow(lat. Salix repens) is a very graceful, low-growing (no more than 1 m) species, common in France. In other regions it is found very rarely and only as a cultivar. The main difference is the large number of branched stems, which are initially covered with silvery fluff and then become bare. The leaves are oval-elliptical in shape and have different surfaces: pubescent bluish below and glossy dark green above. Fluffy inflorescences bloom in April or May. The plant is protected in many areas of France.

The most popular variety is the creeping silver willow (var. argentea) - a valuable highly ornamental plant with densely pubescent grayish leaves and purple shoots.

Shaggy or woolly willow(lat. Salix lanata) is a subarctic species that grows in Iceland, Northern Scandinavia, and northwestern Russia. It is a spherical, low-growing (no more than 1 m) shrub with dense branched shoots. Young shoots are covered with short bluish fluff; over time, the stems become brown and smooth. The leaves of the species are interesting - silvery in color, oval-ovate in shape. The texture of the sheet is velvet, felt. The species is excellent for landscaping areas in the northern regions.

I. creeping, I. shaggy

Willow lancet(lat. Salix hastata) is another low-growing shrub species, the average height of which is 1.5 m, and the maximum size is no more than 4 m. It grows on the slopes and banks of Arctic rivers, in the Alps and tundra. Wild specimens are often found in Northern Europe and America, the Far East, Siberia, and Central Asia. The plant is distinguished by branched shoots that grow upward or spread out on the ground, as well as oval leaves, smooth on top and slightly pubescent on the back side.

Willow reticulum(lat. Salix reticulata) is a low-growing ornamental plant native to Eastern Siberia and the Far East. In nature it serves as food for deer. This is a branched low (up to 0.7 m) shrub, decorated with branched creeping stems and unusual leaves. The leaves are oval-shaped and dark green in color with a textured silky surface. Due to its elegant appearance, netted willow is often used in the design of parks, squares and garden plots in the northern regions.

I. spear-shaped, I. reticular

Willow in landscape design

The variety of broom species allows you to choose a plant suitable for specific conditions. First of all, you need to focus on the size and location of the site.

In wide open spaces of a large area, large powerful trees will be appropriate - silver willow, goat willow, brittle willow in temperate climates, Babylonian willow in the south. Tall cultivars are perfect for landscaping city parks and squares, and creating protective vegetation strips along roads. The ability of the above species to grow rapidly, smoke and gas resistance makes them indispensable for planting in areas of new buildings.

Willow, especially its water-loving varieties, is indispensable for decorating and strengthening the banks of various reservoirs. It does well in humid environments. The only problem is that the perennial grows very quickly, occupying free areas. The plant should be carefully monitored: young shoots should be cut down annually.

Medium-sized varieties of willow - purple, whole-leaved - are planted as tapeworms in open clearings or lawns. They serve as the center of the landscape composition, around which lower crops are located. Another option for using such willows is the organization of hedges.

Compact species and varieties (creeping, reticulated, hairy, spear-shaped) can be placed even in modest-sized areas; these plants will not take up much space. Such willows look good as the lower or middle tier of a landscape composition of different heights, composed of shrubby perennials. In addition, low-growing willow is perfect for decorating the banks of miniature country ponds: streams and ponds. This way you will get an original imitation of river landscapes.

Growing and care

Growing willow in your garden is not difficult: the tree is very unpretentious and does not require complex care. However, the diverse types of willows are often not similar to each other and need different conditions: soil, amount of water and lighting. The method of plant propagation may also differ. That is why the gardener’s first task is to determine the type of willow and, depending on this, act in the future.

Location, soil, fertilizing, watering

Almost all plant species are considered light-loving. They can easily withstand direct sunlight and prefer open spaces, however, a little shading will not harm the tree. Willow can be planted both in open sun and in partial shade.

The humidity of the area depends on the selected type. The vast majority of willows in nature prefer to settle along the banks of water bodies, so they should be placed as close to the water as possible.

[!] With the help of powerful roots, an adult willow consumes a large amount of water every day. This property of the tree is used to drain swampy soils and areas with near-surface groundwater.

Willow is not picky about soil composition, although it prefers a loose (water- and air-permeable) and nutritious substrate containing a sufficient amount of sand and loam. The tree does not like peat soils in which moisture stagnates, and only some willows (white and purple) are able to grow on peat bogs.

Only young, immature specimens need feeding and watering. Subsequently, the tree itself obtains the necessary moisture through a powerful root system.

Trimming

Willow tolerates decorative pruning well, and its crown becomes even denser and more decorative with the help of this procedure.

Low and medium-sized willows with branches pointing upward can be formed in the form of a ball or an umbrella on a stem (trunk); in drooping varieties, you should simply slightly shorten the long shoots that reach the surface of the ground. It is not forbidden to regulate the height of the tree, restraining its growth.

It is better to remove excess branches in early spring, before the beginning of the growing season, or in late autumn. The tree can be slightly adjusted throughout the summer. The following are subject to pruning:

powerful leading shoots (this will restrain the growth of the tree and promote the appearance of young lateral shoots),
excess growth on the trunk (if the willow is formed on a trunk),
branches growing inward and thickening the crown.

As for standard willows, there are two main forms: fountain and ball. To get a fountain on a stem-leg, the shoots should be shortened quite a bit at the edges, so that the length allows them to hang freely, forming a green semblance of water jets. The spherical shape requires more radical cutting in a circle.

[!] When pruning, always leave the outermost bud on the branch, pointing upward. In the future, the young shoot on such a branch will also grow correctly - upward.

If there is an old tall willow growing in your garden that interferes with other crops and occupies a significant part of the plot, do not get rid of it completely, but form a nice green ball lying on the ground. Simply cut the trunk close to the soil surface. This way the trunk will stop growing upward, and young shoots will soon appear from its lower part, which can be trimmed to the desired shape.

The trunks of young willows often bend or bend toward the ground. To fix this, you need to tie the trunk to a support, for example, a metal pipe dug into the ground and leave it for 2-3 years. During this time, the trunk should straighten and acquire the desired shape.

Reproduction and planting of willow

In the wild, willows are propagated by seeds, cuttings, and some species even by stakes. In cultivation, it is best to take cuttings from a tree, since the seeds quickly lose their viability in air and are well preserved only in water or silt.

Cuttings for planting should be cut from branches that are not too old and not too young. They should not be too thick or, on the contrary, thin - both of them are unlikely to take root. The optimal length of an individual cutting is about 25 cm. Young root growth, broken off with a “heel” (a piece of root), is also suitable.

You can plant cuttings for rooting at the end of October, before the onset of frost, or in mid-spring. The leaves at the bottom of the shoots are removed and stuck into the soil at a slight angle; they can first be soaked in the root for a day, although without this the rooting percentage is quite high.

If several willows are planted at once, then the distance between them should be at least 70 cm for low-growing species, 1-3 m for medium-sized ones and 5-7 m for tall trees.

Pests and diseases

Willow is a food plant for many insects. The tree is attacked by more than 100 species of aphids, beetles, larvae of various butterflies, wood ants, and sometimes wasps build their nests on the willow. An adult plant can usually withstand insect attacks without difficulty, but young plants can suffer greatly. In order to protect fragile willows, pests should be collected by hand or, if the colony has grown too large, destroyed with the help of modern insecticides.

In rural areas, young willows are often eaten by grazing goats. These animals should not be allowed close to planted trees. Of the rodents, mice are dangerous because they undermine succulent roots and green shoots.

The tree is attacked not only by pests, but also by various infections. One of the most common willow diseases is rust, caused by the fungus Melampsora, the main symptoms of which are brown and orange spots on the leaves. Fungicides - antifungal drugs - will help fight the disease.

I always thought that there was a willow growing in my dacha. And in the spring, an acquaintance visited us (the tree was just blooming), and so he claims that it is a willow, since the catkins are yellow. Tell me, what is the difference between willow and willow?

Willow becomes popular in the spring, before Easter. On Sunday, all believers bring thin twigs to church services to consecrate them and bring them into the house. According to ancient beliefs, willow drives away evil spirits from the house and helps get rid of illnesses. But often willow twigs are used instead of willow, and many people think that this is the same crop, it just has two names.

In fact, these are completely different plants, and in order to understand which tree is in front of you, you should know how willow differs from willow. It is very easy to distinguish them by the following characteristics:

at the place of residence";
along the crown;
by time and characteristics of flowering;
by color and shape of flower buds.

As for general characteristics, both plants belong to the willow family.

Where do they grow?

Willow is one of the most undemanding plants when it comes to soil; it can be found both near the river and in the middle of the field. But willow prefers only areas where there is water nearby. The willow thickets along the river banks look very beautiful, descending their long branches directly into the water. It also grows in swamps, that is, wherever there is enough moisture in the soil.

What do they look like?

The willow's crown is denser and consists of rather thick shoots covered with brown-red bark that bend poorly. The branches bear round leaves.

Willow, on the other hand, has a transparent crown with drooping shoots, thin and very flexible. The bark on them is gray-green. In spring, narrow and long leaves with a pointed tip bloom on the branches.

Willow twigs take root very well and quickly produce new ones.

How do they bloom?

Perhaps flowering is one of the main differences between willow and willow. Not only is it different, but it also occurs at different times. The willow is the first to dawn - very fluffy, slightly elongated snow-white buds open on the shoots. The willow blooms after it and the flower buds on the branches are a little longer and smaller, but just as fluffy. But the color of the inflorescences is radically different - they are a beautiful soft yellow color.

Willow blooms in mid-spring, when there are already leaves on the branches, but willow blooms very early, before the leaves bloom on the tree.