Willow system. Weeping willow: description and photo of the tree. Vetrix and Hamitea
Willows are extremely common plants. Some species are so unpretentious that they have filled ravines, others are actively planted in gardens because of their spectacular crown, and others have such a non-trivial appearance that they are the object of desire for many gardeners. No wonder they have so many different folk names: willow, vine, willow, blackwood, redwood, tea-talak
Text by ANNA KRASAVTSEVA Photo by YURI SOLOVIEV
The genus Willow (Salix) is abundant and complex in taxonomy - it has more than 300 species of shrubs and tree bushes. In the north, willow raw materials are used as a seasoning, medicines have long been obtained from it, flexible shoots are used for weaving baskets, and flowering plants Not only do they spread a spicy aroma throughout the garden, but they are also excellent honey plants, playing an important role in the spring harvest of apiaries. A use has also been found for the modern summer resident - varietal and many species of willows will decorate any garden, from the tiniest to hectares. Willows are good at any time of the year. In early spring, these woody primroses are covered with foam from fragrant catkins that smell of honey, hyacinths, and violets.
Later, varietal qualities are revealed that give the plants a cone-shaped, oval, spherical, weeping or other original crown shape and silvery or variegated leaf color.
What types of willows are there?
In October, most ornamental willow trees turn their foliage some shade of yellow. And after the leaves fall, the skeleton graphics are fully revealed. Avant-garde, like veins stretching to the sky, are the spreading shoots of the variety ‘ Fantasy'. The intricate, bizarre curves of the Babylonian willow look mysterious ( S. babylonica) ‘Ural’. Along with them, the dense dome-shaped crowns are emphasized Bullata'
Lovers of geometric shapes will appreciate the purple willow balls lined up in a row Nana', and romantic natures will be closer to the sad lashes that descend to the very ground’ Pendula'.
But the most interesting thing is the color of the shoots. They can be burgundy (and holly), yellow-orange (‘ In memory of Mindovsky’), swamp (‘ Kilmarnock'), bright golden (‘ Vitellina’), scarlet (‘ Chermesina’), finally, completely unique, shimmering tones of a campfire flame in the winter sun (‘ In memory of Bazhov’).
For small flower beds, alpine hills, rocky and non-flooded banks of reservoirs, miniature species of willow, not exceeding 30 cm in height, are suitable.
They are able to cover large spaces, stretching shoots up to 5 m in length and possessing a powerful creeping root system. The most northern and frost-resistant - arctic willow (Salix arctica) with richly pubescent silvery leaves and reddish earrings due to crimson anthers. And the most original - willow reticulum (Salix reticulata) with rounded leaves distinguished by decorative venation. They are leathery dark green above and silky bluish below.
Both plants are unpretentious to the composition of the soil, but love to
moist, well-drained substrates. Creeping species perfectly keep the soil from crumbling and go well with other inhabitants of the hills - bulbous, edelweiss, saxifrage, low-growing sedums and crowberry. Willows of medium height (from 1 to 3 m) are more diverse. Low growth can be restrained by the height of the trunk, onto which several shoots of weeping or bushy willow are grafted. Weeping varieties ‘Pendula’ willow (Salix integra), goat willow (Salixcarnea), and purple willow (Salix purpurea) bowing their manes near streams, fountains, a small pond in the company of irises, daylilies, and hostas. And bush-like “balls on a stick - whole-leaved willow Hakuro-nishiki and Swiss willow (S. helvetica), spear willow (Salix hastata) ‘Wehrhahnii’- add texture to flower beds. These trunks are created for small gardens, where they play the role of a tree, and therefore it is not advisable to plant them nearby herbaceous plants, exceeding the height of willows. Dwarf willows require less effort while maintaining their shape. A dense bush about a meter high creates hairy willow (Salix lanata), y rosemary willow (Salix rosmarinifolia) the crown is translucent. A low, silvery, disheveled bush with rounded leaves creeping willow (S. repens) ‘Argentea’ you can diversify the surface of the lawn or complement the colorful flower garden. Surround it with forest sage and scarlet astilbe varieties.
Higher, up to 2 m, purple willow ‘Nana’ with regular trimming it looks like a neat green ball. Hybrid willows grow as squat trees Globular Dwarf and Schwerin Willow (Salix schwerinii). Astilbes, hosts, irises and daylilies, cereals, roses, ground cover conifers and low spirea are organically combined with low willows. If the site allows you to grow a tree up to 5-6 m, then choose hybrid willow ‘ Weeping Gnome' with a spreading crown and shoots falling to the ground.
IN OCTOBER, MOST DECORATIVE WILLOWS HAVE FOLIAGE COLORED IN ONE SHADE OF YELLOW. AFTER LEAF FALL, SKELETON GRAPHICS APPEAR
Amazing with its rapid growth and enormous size white willow (Salix alba). In the old days, this constant companion of villages provided excellent relief from the heat, covering the wide streets with openwork shadow. Therefore, several willows towering in a field or in a forest are, as a rule, a kind of monument to villages that have disappeared into oblivion.
Despite its fragility, this species is durable and quickly recovers, sending out new vertical shoots even on old, fallen trunks. Even white willow stakes stuck into the ground take root well and turn green. Many summer residents took advantage of this property and specially arranged such green fences around their plots. Subsequently, the branches were additionally intertwined and cut. Variety ‘ Sericea' with silvery narrow leaves on both sides at a young age it has a dense crown, later it becomes looser. It works well as a background for both yellow-leaved and purple, as well as dark green plantings. Picturesque weeping form ‘ Tristis', obtained on the basis of white willow with the participation of and. Babylonian, decorate streets and large areas.
The hybrid willow, reaching 9 m in height, is more winter-hardy In memory of Mindovsky’. The extremely long and flexible shoots swaying in the wind are artistically reflected in the surface of reservoirs, look good against the background of the lawn, and benches and swings are often placed under them.
Despite the fact that there are swamp and alpine species, all willows are quite drought-resistant and feel good in ordinary garden soil, the main thing is to provide them with open sun rays place. However, for faster development and lush flowering It is better to pay attention to the individual preferences of a particular specimen. Unfortunately, not all types are frost-resistant, but planting in places protected from the wind and succession warm winters give plant collectors the opportunity to enjoy capricious southern varieties for a certain period of time. Some southern plants, such as a popular variety with spirally twisted leaves and twisting shoots ‘ Erythroflexuosa’, can be replaced with more resistant species and varieties with similar and sometimes superior decorative characteristics.
In this case it’s ‘ Sverdlovskaya Izvilistaya 2’. An important aspect in growing willows is pruning. And, although willows quickly heal wounds and recover well, you should not get too carried away with this technique. Typically, sanitary pruning is carried out during the thaw after winter. At this time, all off-grade, frozen and broken shoots are cut out. At the end of March, before the leaves bloom, formative pruning can also be done, but this is usually done after the plant has bloomed. remember, that tall plants give powerful growth, and they cannot be kept in a dwarf form all the time.
So ‘Sverdlovskaya Izvilistaya 2’, reaching 12 m, can be trimmed, but still it is better to immediately select the height in accordance with the landscape possibilities, opting for low-growing forms (from 5 to 2.5 m) of the same ‘Sverdlovskaya Izvilistaya’.
Willow (Salix viminalis), purple willow ‘Mayak 2’ and more graceful ‘Mayak 3’ ideal for weaving and solitaire planting only with annual pruning to the stump. In this case, the shoots will be smooth, long and unbranched, and the bush will look like a fountain. Willows with decorative shoots are also heavily pruned: as they age, they lose their attractive color. Willow ' Bullata' It holds a spherical shape well and is tempting to grow in a row. This produces very spectacular borders, which can be left completely without pruning - or the shoots can be shortened to reduce the height.
WILLOW BLOWING
Willows are dioecious. This means that male flowers bloom on some specimens, and female flowers bloom on others. Most often, the greatest decorative effect is the flowering of males. Early vigorous flowering with thick catkins begins before the leaves bloom or simultaneously with it, which gives the plant a very delicate, spring appearance.
At the moment of appearance, the earrings are silvery and look like hare’s tails; as the long stamens dissolve, they increase in size and become golden (white willow, brittle willow), yellow-purple (rosmarinolium) or crimson (arctic and polar). ). The elegantly flowering willow is used in Orthodoxy for the holiday of Palm Sunday. Female plants have pistils that are green, dirty pinkish, or brownish green and are less decorative.
(With rare exceptions - S. xgrahamii with pistils of a bright scarlet color.) In addition, in June they disperse seeds, which are equipped with very fine white downy hairs for flight. Willow fluff is similar to poplar and can cause allergies. There are also advantages - for example, five-stamen willow (Salix pentandra) in late autumn it surprises with its pretty snow-white “blooming” appearance. The secret lies in women's earrings left fluffed up for the winter.
: Vertical gardening - selecting vines...
And you are deciduous trees or shrubs, some species of which may differ from each other in external characteristics. The genus “Willow” has approximately 600 species, some of which are found in cultivation.
Types and varieties of willow
Typically, willows are distinguished by a through, transparent crown, flexible, thin shoots and pointed, narrow, elongated leaves. Willows have small flowers. Most willows reach a height of up to 15 m, but there are also tall trees - up to 40 m in height, and also dwarf willows.
Willow brittle
The tree is about 15 m high and up to 8 m wide. Brittle willow sometimes has a curved shape with two trunks. The crown is round, openwork, asymmetrical. Brittle willow grows quickly. The leaves are elongated, long, lanceolate; green above, bluish below; in autumn green-yellow.
Brittle willow has green-yellow flowers that bloom in May. The shoots of brittle willow are brownish or yellowish, brittle, glossy, and easy to take root. Winter-hardy. In nature, brittle willow grows from Europe to Asia.
Goat willow
A large, fast-growing shrub or small tree up to 12 m in height and up to 6 m in width with a curved short trunk and a rounded crown. Goat willow branches grow vertically, the side shoots are raised and spread out. Goat willow leaves are broadly elliptical or rounded, green, gray below, slightly pubescent.
The flowers are yellow-silver with a honey aroma. Goat willow becomes brittle after 20 years of growth. IN natural conditions The tree is found in Central Asia and Europe. Willow is propagated by seeds, and decorative forms of willow are propagated by goat grafting.
Purple willow
Large tree about 10 m tall. The shape of purple willow can be different - funnel-shaped, dome-shaped, umbrella-shaped. The shoots take root easily and are densely growing. The leaves of the purple willow are green above, bluish below, narrowly lanceolate; yellow in autumn.
Purple willow flowers have a pleasant aroma, are slightly curved, reddish, then turn yellow. The root system of purple willow is deep. Tolerates pruning well. Winter-hardy. Purple willow is found naturally in central Europe, in Central Asia.
creeping willow
In nurseries you can find the weeping variety "Armando" in standard form.
In early spring, the fluffy inflorescences of creeping willow "Armando" have pink and silver woolly scales. This beauty will not leave anyone indifferent. Then yellow anthers appear, and the willow is already different. After flowering, the shrub needs to be heavily pruned to encourage the growth of new young weeping shoots.
The leaves of the creeping willow "Armando" are shiny, green, and underneath they are gray-green. This variety of willow can be grown in the garden and in a container on the balcony.
Creeping willow "Argentea" is a prostrate bush with small, silky leaves. The rounded leaves sometimes have a blue tint. The round yellow inflorescences are small and few in number; they appear on the bush before the leaves bloom. It is possible to form creeping willow "Argentea" in standard form. In this case, you get a beautiful, miniature weeping tree.
White willow
Large plant up to 25 m in height and up to 15 m in width. The trunk of the white willow is powerful, the bark is gray. At first the crown is narrow-columnar, then spreading, widely rounded. The branches “look” up, and the side shoots hang down a little. The leaves of white willow are silver-gray when blooming, then gray-green.
The flowers of this willow are yellow and fragrant, blooming in late April. White willow grows in sun and partial shade and is winter-hardy. It grows quickly and lives up to 100 years. It can be found in nature throughout Europe.
White willow has a weeping form (‘Pendula’). The weeping willow is distinguished not only by its beautiful crown, but also by the color of its shoots: in summer the bark is red-brown, and in spring it is bright yellow. The leaves of the weeping willow are also very decorative - light green, narrow, pointed.
Babylonian willow
A beautiful weeping tree, one of the most beautiful jewelry parks in southern Russia. Originally from the regions of Northern and Central China.
The tree is no more than 15 m in height, with a large, weeping crown about 9 m in diameter, formed by thin, flexible, yellow-green, bare, shiny branches hanging to the ground.
The leaves of Babylonian willow are pointed, narrowly lanceolate, finely serrated along the edge. Young foliage is green, slightly shiny, bluish below. Flower catkins of Babylonian willow are thin, short-petioled. The Babylonian willow blooms after the leaves bloom.
Grows quickly. Very effective in single group plantings near ponds and on the lawn.
Holly willow or pussy willow
Shrub or tree up to 8 m in height with an oval crown. Willow shoots are flexible, purple-red, with a bluish bloom.
The foliage of willow is linear-lanceolate, long, pointed; shiny, green above, bluish below. This willow is one of the most unpretentious species of willow in terms of growing conditions. Willow willow propagates by cuttings and twigs.
Willow whole leaf
In the natural flora it is found in the south of Primorye and Japan. Spreading shrub up to 3 m in height with curved stems at the base. The leaves of willow allifolia are narrowly oblong, oval at both ends, almost sessile.
Due to the soft green tone of the leaves and their arrangement, the shoots of this willow, extending obliquely and arched to the sides, are similar to the leaves of a fern, which gives the willow an unusual beautiful view. All-leaved willow blooms in May. During flowering it smells of hyacinth.
Looks beautiful near ponds in group and single plantings.
All-leaved willow "Hakuro-nishiki" (Hakuro nishiki) is a beautiful spreading bush or tree with drooping branches. Young foliage has spots of white and Pink colour. On older leaves, the pink color disappears, and only some white streaks remain.
Rosemary willow
Semi-dwarf wide shrub up to 2 m in height and width. Initially, the side shoots grow vertically, then arcuate. This willow grows slowly. The leaves are green above and white below.
It begins to bloom in April, the flowers are fragrant, yellow. Frost-resistant, wind-resistant. Under natural conditions, rosemary willow is found in Central and Central Asia and Europe.
Iwa Matsuda
Distributed in Korea and China.
Tree up to 13 m in height, with a wide pyramidal crown, smooth trunk. The shoots are straight, thin, young - pubescent, yellow-olive, then bare, brown. The leaves of the Matsuda willow are narrow-lanceolate and long-pointed.
Photophilous, grows quickly, demanding soil moisture. Matsuda willow propagates by lignified cuttings.
It has a decorative shape - with serpentine-curved, green shoots, growing in the form of a small shrub with an openwork crown.
The willow tree has about 550 species. The average lifespan of wood is 110 years. Other names for this tree: willow, broom, vine, willow and others.
Family: Willow
Class: Dicotyledons
Order: Malpighiaceae
Department: Flowers
Kingdom: Plants
Domain: Eukaryotes
Willow description:
Willow is most often found up to 15 meters in size. But the species number of this tree is very huge, and on our planet you can find willow trees up to 40 meters in height and 2.5 cm in size. Willows include both trees and shrubs. The crown of the tree is wide and large. The stem is branched, the branches are thin and flexible. The leaves are long and narrow in shape, but there are also species with wide leaves. On the outside the leaf has a more saturated green color, and on the other side the leaf is lighter. In some species the leaf edge is smooth, in others it is jagged. When the leaves bloom, there are stipules that can be used to determine the type of willow.
When does willow bloom?
Different types of willows bloom in different time. Some species bloom even before the first leaves appear in early spring, some species bloom with the appearance of leaves or already in early summer when the leaves are fully formed.
The flowers of the tree are very small and would be difficult to detect if they were not collected in inflorescences called catkins. In willows that bloom before the leaves appear, the catkins are very noticeable. All willow catkins are unisexual, that is, they contain only female flowers or only male flowers. It is not difficult to distinguish them. Male flowers contain two stamens, and female flowers have one pistil; both types of flowers have nectaries.
Where does willow grow?
The willow tree is most common in the northern hemisphere of the planet. At the same time, the willow reaches the northernmost regions. In the northern regions you can find willow no larger than moss. Loves moisture very much. Most often found in humid areas. Less common in dry areas. Due to their large and extensive root system, willows are often planted along banks to strengthen the soil.
Willow fruit
The fruit of the willow is a capsule. The willow seed itself is very small, light, covered with white fluff. Its lightness allows it to fly quite long distances. The seed itself remains viable for only a few days. But if it gets into water, it can remain viable for up to several years.
Willow propagation
Willow produces adventitious roots. Thanks to this, this tree reproduces well by cuttings and stakes. In most species, seeds can lose their viability within a few days.
In nature, willow trees reproduce using seeds, and cultivated species of willows are propagated by cuttings and layering. A willow branch planted in the ground quickly takes root.
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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 temperate and cold zones. globe, only a few of its species are found in subtropical and tropical regions. 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 dry 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. Stipules are small, narrowly lanceolate or crescent-shaped, long-pointed, usually rapidly falling, for the most part shorter than petioles. The leaves are narrow or linear-lanceolate. Length 10–20 cm and width 1–2 cm. Wedge-shaped at the base, sharp at the apex, with a curved edge, whole-cut or slightly wavy-notched. From dark green above, almost glabrous or slightly pubescent to grayish-fluffy with glands at the edge, below densely covered with silky hairs. Blooms from March to May.
Look at the photo - this type of willow has catkins that develop before the leaves or at the same time, long, cylindrical, without leaves at the base or with them:
Grows in the European part of Russia, except for the extreme northern and southern regions, in Western Siberia, except for the Far North, in Altai. It grows along the banks of rivers along living riverbeds, in old parts of the floodplain, along the banks of oxbow lakes. It almost does not grow along the marshy banks of reservoirs. Can grow in periodically waterlogged areas. Photophilous. Stem cuttings root easily. It grows quickly and has good growth capacity. Resistant to spring frosts.
Willow wood is light, sometimes with a pinkish or reddish tint, soft, light. It dries well, but often warps, elastic, easy to process, but not resistant to wormholes and rotting. The annual twig is the same in flexibility as the three-stamen willow, but somewhat inferior in softness. Cleanability from bark is good. The splitting of the rod is satisfactory. The core occupies up to 1/3 of the diameter of a one-year-old twig. The twig willow grows along the banks of rivers over a vast area from forest-tundra to semi-desert, forming wide thickets. Cultivated in forest and forest-steppe zones on slightly podzolic loams, sandy loams, and degraded chernozems. It grows quickly, pricks and planes well. This is a classic basket willow.
Willow Astrakhan and willow Kharkov
Artificially selected varieties of willow, distinguished by larger but smaller annual twigs. The twig of this type of willow is very well cleared of bark. More flexible than twig willow and easier to split. Both varieties are more productive than the rod-shaped variety. Can be used on tape and furniture stick.
Hemp willow
One of the classic types of willow suitable for weaving. A shrub up to 8 m high, most often grows near rivers, on floodplains and in other wet places. The shoots are green with a brown or yellow tint. The leaves are oblong-lanceolate, 7–15 cm long, with short petioles and edges curled at the bottom, dark green above, grayish-silver below. The rod is long, thick, with a blunt end, the core is quite large. A one-year-old rod is used for weaving, and two- and three-year-old rods are used for sticks.
Red-flowered willow (krasnotal, willow, sandy)
Great for weaving. Shrub, less commonly tree. The bark is shiny, red with dark and brown tints. The buds are red, closely adjacent to the stem. The leaves are spatulate-lanceolate, with short petioles, small serrations along the edge in the upper part of the leaf. The leaves are dark green above, bluish below, matte, with a convex midrib. The rods are long, flexible, thin, without branches, with a very small core. The bark comes off easily. Used for the manufacture of various small products: baskets, boxes, etc.
Purple willow
A very popular type among lovers of wickerwork. Dense branched shrub from 2 to 5 m high. Life expectancy is up to 30 years. The bark is purple-red, sometimes with a bluish coating, yellow-green underneath, lemon-yellow inside. The shoots are thin, flexible, with sparse leaves. The buds are small (length 3–5 mm), red-brown or yellowish in color, pressed against 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, in 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, the frost does virtually no harm. Purple willow is light-loving and does not tolerate closeness. groundwater and inundation by flood waters.
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 Far East- 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. 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. Tree 6–10 m high or shrub up to 6 m high. The branches are long, young - pubescent, after a year - greenish-gray, bare. Leaves are narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate. Russian willow is widespread in the European part of our country, in Western and Eastern Siberia, and in the Far East. In the western regions and Western Europe it is replaced by twig willow. It grows mainly in floodplains of rivers, on islands and coastal shallows and sediments, where it reaches vigorous development and forms huge thickets.
Its twig is of low quality and brittle, so it is used mainly in its unbarked form.
Woolly willow
Another one of the least quality types. A shrub 4–6 m high, less often a tree up to 8 m high with strong thick branches. Young shoots are dirty-pubescent, annual shoots are large, bare, greenish-gray. Young leaves are elliptical, white-tomentose, adult leaves are lanceolate. It is found throughout the European part of Russia (except for the Caucasus, Crimea, the Black Sea region and the Lower Volga), in Siberia and the Far East. Inhabits river banks, oxbow lakes and lakes. It grows singly and in clumps, often together with Russian willow, and is a fast-growing species. Used on coarse weaving and also on sticks.
Holly willow
It is also called red shell. Not suitable for all types of products. A tree up to 10 m high or a shrub up to 6 m high. The shoots are long, thin, red-brown, and from the end of the first year are covered with a bluish waxy coating. The leaves are lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, long-pointed (6–8 times longer than wide), glandular-serrate along the edges, shiny above, greenish below. It blooms in March - April, long before the leaves appear. Red shelyuga is widespread throughout the European part of our country; it is extremely rare in the northern and eastern regions of Central Asia and Western Siberia. Inhabits river valleys on riverine sands, where it forms large thickets. Frost-resistant and drought-resistant. One of the most common in the country. One- or two-year-old twigs are used for weaving all kinds of products, with the exception of fruit and vegetable baskets, since this willow has a bitter bark.
Willow cordifolia
This type is good for small weaving. Naturally distributed in the south of Eastern Siberia and the Far East. It grows along the banks of small mountain rivers, without entering the mountains above 800 m above sea level. Found singly or in small groups. Photophilous. Annual shoots are thin, flexible, reddish-brown, bare, shiny. The buds are red-brown, with a curved tip, bare, shiny. The leaves are ovate, elliptical, shortly pointed, rounded at the base, glabrous, dark green above, bluish below. Petioles are short, pubescent. Stipules are shorter than the petiole, reniform or oblong, glandular-serrate. The annual twig is small and has little shoots. In terms of flexibility, it is second only to Buzuluk willow. It cleans well from bark.
- Russian, Caspian and pointed willows produce a thick twig, and it comes in both white and green;
- purple, twig-shaped, three-stamen and Buzuluk willows produce a medium twig, which is also white and green;
- American, Ural, wavy-leaved willow, as well as some cultivated varieties of twig-shaped willow, produce a thin white twig.
In fact, the division of willows according to the size of the twig is quite relative. In favorable conditions (on moist, fertile soils) almost any type of willow produces long and thick twigs; in unfavorable 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 the video correct landing 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 row spacing is good to combine with hilling rows. Since stumps remain after each cutting of the rod, additional roots are formed on them after hilling, which increases the viability of the plants.
When caring for willows, organic and mineral fertilizers are applied simultaneously with loosening the soil. With good soil cultivation and fertilization, willow forms a powerful root system 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” and improve physical properties soil, contribute to increasing 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. Positive influence Liming the soil affects 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 so that next year get a small harvest of twigs suitable for weaving. 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 they are significantly reduced fungal diseases, the shoot-forming ability of willow increases.
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 handicrafts, and in treeless regions it is also used as construction material. Leafy branches are used as animal feed.
Willow– one of the valuable tree and shrub species that have versatile, universal applications. This is unique medicinal plant. Its bark is an excellent tanning agent, and its fiber is a raw material for making burlap, ropes and mats. The ability of willow to quickly produce a large amount of wood allows it to be widely used in pulp production and in the manufacture of plastics.
In steppe regions, poor in forests, the wood of shrubby willows is used for fuel, and commercial timber assortments are obtained from tree willows. The flowering of this tree begins much earlier than that of other plants, so willow is also a valuable honey plant. In addition, the use of willows is practiced to stabilize sand, cliffs and landslides. Finally, it provides an excellent, valuable material for weaving - a twig or, as it is also called, a vine.
Willow tree pruning (with photo)
It is very easy to make a weeping crown shape yourself. To do this, gradually remove all the lower branches until the height of the trunk reaches the desired size (usually 1.2–1.5 m is left, but this is not at all necessary). Then parts of the upper branches are allowed to grow and in the fall they are all bent down, evenly distributed around the trunk, and loosely tied to it. In subsequent years, the central trunk is cut off, the branches trying to grow upward are either cut off or tied down, and the part of the branches that grows horizontally is left to grow freely. After 2–4 years, all the piping is removed and then only the branches growing upward are cut down to the very base. This funny plant resembles an open umbrella with frayed edges. This plant is placed in the garden singly and not in too large quantities. This way you can register the entrance or entrance to the site.
To give the goat willow a weeping shape, it is formed, like a standard rose, using candelabra trimming.
The height of the trunk should be no more than 1.8 - 2.5 cm.
The essence of this willow pruning is as follows: every year in the spring (April - May), the growth of the previous year is shortened to the 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.
Since ancient times Willow (Willow) was a sign of the arrival of spring. Among the ancient Slavs, it was considered sacred and symbolized the constancy of life cycles.
Among different peoples, Willow was a symbol of purity and immortality, beauty and sophistication, and at the same time was associated with sadness. In myths ancient Greece Willow has always been associated with the world of the dead.
Among the Indians South America The willow symbolized friendship and hospitality. When guests arrived, the bark of this glorious tree was added to the peace pipe.
Willow names
The Latin name for Willow is Salix. From Latin words sal – water, lix – close.
In Russia, Willow is known under the names Verba, Vine, Vetla.
Cognates of Willow are found in many languages. The word is quite ancient, so there are several theories about its origin.
One version of the origin is that the word comes from the verb vit. After all, in the old days peasants from Iva a huge amount of valuable things. And in our time, willow is an excellent raw material for wicker furniture.
According to another version, the word came from ancient languages and meant “reddish wood.”
Where does the willow grow?
There are about 550 species of Willow, and they are concentrated mainly in the northern hemisphere. Siberia, Northern China, northern Europe, northern America are places where you can find this tree.
Willow widespread in central Russia.
The height of the tree can be up to 15 meters, but there are species larger than 35 meters with a trunk girth of more than half a meter.
Willow loves humidity very much, therefore, this large spreading tree or its smaller species can often be found along the banks of rivers and lakes.
Green branches hang from the banks like garlands and gently touch the surface of the water.
What does Willow look like?
There are a huge number of Willow species in Russia, however, the most famous is weeping. It was she who often became the hero of many fairy tales, poems and stories in Russian folklore.
The height of this tree is up to 25 meters. The bark is silver-gray. The crown is spreading, slightly transparent and transmits light well. The branches are thin and graceful, as are the curves of the trunk.
When willow blooms
Willow buds appear in winter. Red-yellow and brown shoots are the first sign of the awakening of spring.
In April, when the snow has not yet melted, the buds begin to glow yellow. Early bees, flies and butterflies rush to the feast. After all, these flowers are excellent sources of honey.
The healing properties of Willow
Willow bark decoction relieves rheumatic pain, and is also used to treat colds and reduce fever.
Willow bark rich in tannins, therefore used in the manufacture medicines with disinfectant and antipyretic properties. In addition, the bark has a diuretic and diaphoretic effect.
Salicin (translated from Latin as “willow”) is also obtained from the bark of this tree. Salicin is the basis of aspirin.
Preparations from willow bark also have hemostatic properties. For inflammatory processes of the skin and abscesses, an ointment made from crushed bark and a fat base is used.
For thrombophlebitis, take foot baths from Willow decoction.
Dandruff, itching and hair loss are troubles that can be dealt with by a decoction of Burdock and Willow bark.
However, you should not overuse Willow decoctions due to large quantity tannins in its bark.
Application of Willow
Willow is of great importance for Agriculture and plays big role in replenishing natural resources.
Willow used as a barrier planting, creating its own microclimate and a protective area from the winds for planting.
In depleted and depleted soil zones, Willow often becomes a “pioneer” and improves soil conditions for other plants. fallen willow foliage improves the composition of substances. It is for these reasons that growing Willow is one of the techniques for improving forestry.
As a fast-growing tree, Willow is an excellent source of material. Some species are capable of producing an annual harvest.
Willow twigs used in the manufacture of wicker furniture, baskets and other household items. The ease of replenishing these resources saves the forces of nature and makes it possible to preserve valuable forest plantations.
Woodworkers use willow bark when staining wood to imitate more expensive and valuable wood.
IN folk medicine Willow has been and remains a natural remedy for malaria, as it is a valuable source of quinine.
Willow is a very tenacious plant and grows even in the most depleted and burned areas.
Willow is a very ancient plant. This is evidenced by the deposits of the Cretaceous formation.
Weeping willow got its name due to the fact that it can literally cry. When located near bodies of water, Willow's roots are often submerged. Willow removes excess liquid from the leaves and bark through the leaves.
The article uses illustrations from the authors: W oodmen19, apply3 , baralgin68 , kirill.batalow , mikhailprau (Yandex.Photos)
