White willow, Salix alba

The silver willow can often be found in the wild along the banks of rivers and streams. This already gives an indication of their pronounced preference for damp locations. But you don't need a river or a pond in the garden to cultivate a white willow there. With good care from a young age, it will also grow in normal garden soil, where it will develop into a beautiful tree that is not very drooping or slender. not to be confused with its dependent relatives. Artistic living braids are often formed from the white willow in the gardens, because simply cut off and stuck into the ground, it simply continues to grow there.

Characteristics

• German name: silver willow
• Scientific name: Salix alba
• Family: willow family (Salicaceae)
• Genus: Willows (Salix)
• Flower color: white-yellowish (kitten)
• Leaf color: silver green
• Growth height: up to 35 m
• Frost hardiness: up to -32°C

Location

Salix alba prefers very sunny locations, but also thrives very well in semi-shade. When choosing a location, care should be taken to ensure that the willow can spread well, as it becomes very lush, especially in the upper area. The white willow should therefore not be planted too close to a house, as its fine, narrow foliage tends to clog gutters. It can also happen that, for example, houses are shaded too much because the top-heavy growth is often underestimated, especially since there are hardly any branches in the lower area. Since the willow also likes to spread out in search of water, it should not be planted too close to houses either as this may result in damage to the substance, or paths may be broken up by it without any problems can.

Floor

The white willow forms a very superficial but extensive root system. However, so that the tree can anchor itself well in the ground, the planting area should be well prepared. The soil should always be very permeable and extremely rich in nutrients. In addition, the pH should be alkaline to slightly acidic. Therefore, as part of the soil preparation, a large but not too deep planting hole should be dug, which should be filled with a mixture of compost and sand or gravel is filled. The white willow also tolerates slightly loamy soil, as flooding often occurs in its natural habitat and loam is deposited there.

Pour

The better the access to water, the better the white willow will thrive. In the garden, for example, it can be planted near a small natural pond, but it can also develop without any problems in normal garden soil. Only young plants need to be watered regularly in the first few weeks after planting out Water must be supplied, since the root and thus the whole plant are affected by an undersupply dried up. Even in the first years of life, Salix alba should be watered regularly and extensively, at least during longer dry periods.

Fertilize

The white willow has a very high nutrient requirement, which is why it has to be fertilized extensively in spring. For this purpose, compost is spread around the silver silk or the immediate vicinity of the tree can also be mulched regularly, which at the same time prevents too little water being available due to evaporation. Alternatively, special long-term fertilizers can be applied directly to the pasture around a large area Soil are introduced, which also fertilizes the lawn or surrounding perennials at the same time become.

pruning

The white willow often grows in the form of a tree, only rarely grows like a bush. It has a strong growth and reaches a respectable size within a few years. A disadvantage of the silver willow is that it is very flexible, which means that branches are often torn off in strong storms. The so-called twig break is a natural form of reproduction for them, since twigs that fall into the water can grow back without any problems. It should therefore be pruned regularly to keep it as compact as possible.

• Salix alba is pruned in autumn before the frost.
• In any case, you should avoid pruning in spring, especially when the first flowers have already opened.
• The pruning can be very strong, since a cut of the white willow hardly harms it and drives it out vigorously again and again.

wintering

In principle, Salix alba tolerates frost without any major problems. Only new cultures can be protected in the first few years if temperatures drop below zero. To do this, the tree is wrapped tightly with a natural material such as jute and everything is tied tightly. It is important that it is actually a natural material that also allows the tree to breathe. Otherwise it will be suffocated in winter, which can lead to death. Although there is hardly any danger of deer browsing the tree in winter, deer like to use the tree and rub their antlers against it. Therefore, young trees should be protected with a fence in the first few years, provided that animals can have access to the white willow.

diseases and pests

The white willow is hardly susceptible to pests and diseases. Exceptions:

• Only gall mites cause optical disturbances in the building, but these cannot cause any damage, especially in older trees.
• Voles, which also like to be around the willows, can be a little more problematic, especially if they have been planted in a damp location. It is therefore advisable to protect the root ball of newly planted cultures with a wire mesh so that the tree can grow well.

frequently asked Questions

Worth knowing about the silver willow shortly

Plant

• A white willow grows extremely fast and can reach a height of 20 meters over the years.
• With boys trees it even happens that they gain more than two meters per year if they get enough water.
• This tree prefers a moist location near a body of water, but it also does well in dry soil.
• To plant it in the garden, a sunny to partially shaded spot is best.

Some care should be taken when planting near paved paths and near water and utility lines, because the White willows form an extensive root system close to the surface and are able to penetrate pipes and coverings with their roots to raise Therefore, either a distance of about five meters to the house and the paths should be maintained or a root barrier should be used to prevent later damage.

Cut

• In principle, a white willow does not have to be cut, but if necessary it can be shortened a little or even significantly.
• It tolerates pruning very well and easily sprouts again.
• The white willow is also very suitable for pruning as a pollard. All branches are cut back to the trunk in late autumn.
• In the spring, the white willow then drives out again from the cutting point, forming strong clumps.
• If such a tree is cut for pollard willow, it must still be cut regularly.

multiply

• All willows can be propagated very easily by cuttings. For this purpose, young shoots are cut off the tree in autumn and placed in water.
• Once new roots have formed, the cuttings can be planted.
• Alternatively, it is also possible to place the cuttings directly in a pot with potting soil.
• In this case, however, care must be taken to keep the soil slightly moist at all times, which is why the variant in a water glass is easier and safer.

sorts

• A special variant of the silver willow is the variety Salix alba tristis with hanging branches, which is commercially available as a weeping willow. It is often found in large parks and by lakes, but can also be planted in gardens of appropriate size. It has a very sprawling habit and green leaves.
• the sort Salix alba Sericea is even more conspicuous from a distance than the common white willow. It has glossy silvery-white leaves that grow up to four inches long and shimmer intensely, especially in sunshine. This tree stays relatively small at ten to twelve meters and is therefore also suitable for gardens that do not offer enough space for an ordinary white willow. The Sericea variety also thrives very well on dry soil.
• The cultivated form, on the other hand, becomes extremely large Liempde, which is very suitable for windy locations and is therefore often used as a street tree. This variety has a cone-shaped crown and grows up to 30 meters tall.

Learn more about deciduous trees in the garden