Planting Willow and Want Help?

Question

Thanx for your answers in advance.
I got a bouquet of flowers from the store for a special event.  After all the flowers were dried out and we threw them in them away we noticed that some of the pretty decorative branches had rooted and were growing leaves.  So we decided to keep them.  I posted and asked what they were here on YA and found out they are curly red willow.
People all over my town grow willow so I think we have a good climate for it.  So now I need to know any planting tips you might have.  I am somewhat new at this.   It is just a rooted branch, actually we have three rooted branches with fresh green coming from them.  And also when should I plant them?  Should I wait till I plant my garden??

meanolmaw · Accepted Answer

don't plant it outside until warm weather.... but do get it potted up and living in soil soon.... go GENTLY.... water roots are very breakable and they are different than soil roots... so once it's planted in soil, it will have to make new roots... be patient if it looks wilted... it's tired and shocked..... plant it where it will get noticed in winter, but yes, away from water lines!.... it's not going to be a huge tree, but it will seek water...... take the advice on one of those links you got and keep it pruned to the ground in early springs.... that way, it will be all new very red growth, and smaller sized each year.... each year cut a few and root them and soon you'll have a whole hedge of them if you have the open space for it!!... 
http://www.bluestem.ca/salix-babylonica-pekinensis.htm

http://www.bluestem.ca/willows-pruning.htm

fluffernut · Answer

Go ahead and plant them up in pots, use potting soil not garden soil because of soil insect and disease potential.......and drainage...etc... and keep them going until planting time outside........after all frost.  

Curly Red is a cute tree, gets to 30 feet but isn't the strongest wood in the forest.  It is prone to break easily under heavy snows or high winds.  So plant it were breakage won't fall on house or power lines, or cars.  

Being a willow they are somewhat more shallow rooted so need a moist soil, not drought tolerant and with the shallow roots will "surface" earlier than other trees.  Roots grow in girth peek up above the soil.  I've know flower arrangers who were so in love with the plant they'd treat it more like a shrub, cutting it hard, that is taking lots of wood for arrangements  until they kept the "shrub" down to no taller than 8 feet.......that's a lot of cutting! 

PS, willows don't live long especially if you do a lot of cutting on it.  So enjoy it while you have it. 

Good luck.

imagr00vychick · Answer

willows love water and will burrow into septic tanks. The roots can really do damage....so first consider if this is a good idea.  I would start it in a pot indoors...then once it's strong enough keep upgrading the size of the pot...then plant outdoors.  Hope this helps a bit.  :)~

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Planting Willow and Want Help?

3 Answers