Willows are among the easiest trees to grow. They root readily from cuttings, grow fast and tolerate wet soil that kills many other trees. The hard part is not getting a willow to grow. It is putting it where its size, roots and brittle wood will not cause problems later.
The short answer: grow willows in full sun with ample water; UC IPM notes they tolerate almost any soil type. Plant well away from houses, sewer and water lines and septic fields, since willow roots are aggressive. Willows are easily propagated from hardwood cuttings: Iowa State Extension suggests collecting 1/2-inch branches in late February or early March, storing 12- to 18-inch sections in the fridge, and sticking them 6 to 8 inches into the ground in early April. Water during dry spells, and prune young trees to a single strong trunk.
Step 1: choose the right willow
Willows range from shrubs to very large trees. Know the mature size before you plant:
| Willow | Mature size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weeping willow (Salix babylonica) | 30 to 50 ft tall and wide (UF IFAS) | Classic weeping form; best near water on large properties |
| Golden weeping willow (Salix alba ‘Tristis’) | 50 to 75 ft (Morton) | Weeping form with yellow twigs |
| White willow (Salix alba) | 75 to 100 ft (Morton) | Large, upright, fast-growing |
| Black willow (Salix nigra) | 30 to 60 ft (Morton) | Native to the eastern US; good for wet sites |
UC IPM notes that some Salix species are invasive weeds, so check with your local extension office before planting a non-native willow near natural wetlands.
Step 2: pick the site
- Sun: UC IPM says willows do best in full sun. UF IFAS says weeping willow should grow in full sun or very light shade.
- Water: willows want ample water. The Morton Arboretum notes black willow and white willow are very tolerant of wet sites, and that black willow is sensitive to drought.
- Soil: UC IPM says willows tolerate almost any soil type, and UF IFAS notes weeping willow tolerates a wide range of soils, including alkaline pH.
- Space: UF IFAS says weeping willow is not for residential lots and is best near water where the soil will be undisturbed. Its roots can spread about three times the distance from the trunk to the edge of the canopy.
Keep willows away from underground water and sewer lines and septic drain fields. For distances, see how far a willow should be from a house.
Step 3: plant a nursery tree
Planting a container or balled-and-burlapped willow follows standard tree planting practice. The International Society of Arboriculture recommends:
- Dig a hole two to three times wider than the root ball but no deeper than the root ball.
- Find the trunk flare, where the trunk widens at the base, and set the tree so the flare is partly visible after planting.
- Remove containers, wire and twine, straighten the tree and backfill with the original soil, firming gently to remove air pockets.
- Water as you backfill, then spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch, leaving a mulch-free ring of 1 to 2 inches at the trunk. The ISA advises watering at least once a week, barring rain, through the first season.
For timing, see when to plant willow trees.
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Grow 6 black willow trees. Fast growing black willows are very attractive trees. Great for fast shade, privacy and landscaping.
BLACK BARKED WEEPING WILLOW: As the bark ages it turns gets very dark coloration. Much different from the Gold and Green Weeping Willows we offer that are so popular.
BLACK BARKED WEEPING WILLOW: As the bark ages it turns gets very dark coloration. Much different from the Gold and Green Weeping Willows we offer that are so popular.
Step 4: or grow one from a cutting
Iowa State University Extension says willows are easily propagated by hardwood cuttings and root quite easily. Its method:
- On a mild day in late February or early March, when temperatures are above freezing, cut branches about 1/2 inch in diameter.
- Indoors, cut them into 12- to 18-inch sections and bundle them with string.
- Put the bundle in a plastic bag with lightly moistened peat moss and store it in the refrigerator.
- In early April, stick the cuttings into the ground with the bottom 6 to 8 inches in the soil.
- The cuttings should begin to root and leaf out within a few weeks.
Iowa State also notes an alternative: root the cuttings in a container of water indoors, changing the water regularly, then plant them outdoors once they have good root systems. Plant cuttings right side up. The end that was closer to the trunk goes in the soil.
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Step 5: water and mulch
Willows want consistent moisture. The Morton Arboretum recommends supplemental water during dry periods for white willow and notes its roots are shallow, so a layer of mulch over the root zone helps. Young trees need the most attention; water them deeply during their first growing seasons.
Step 6: prune for a strong trunk
Willow wood is weak. The Morton Arboretum notes black willow’s wood is brittle and prone to breakage. UF IFAS says all willows need initial pruning and training when young to develop a strong central trunk with branch crotches as wide as possible, which increases longevity and helps with brittle wood. Even so, UF says weeping willows are usually short-lived, to about 30 years, and the Morton Arboretum gives black willow a lifespan of about 40 to 50 years. The Morton Arboretum suggests pruning white willow from summer to late fall. See when to prune a willow tree.
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Watch for common problems
UF IFAS lists scales, caterpillars, borers and aphids among weeping willow pests, plus root rot, crown gall and willow scab. The Morton Arboretum lists cankers, powdery mildew, leaf spots and willow leaf beetle on white willow. If your tree struggles, see why a willow tree may be dying and what is eating a willow.
Sources
- How can I propagate a willow?, Iowa State University Extension, Yard and Garden
- Willow, UC Statewide IPM Program
- Salix babylonica: Weeping Willow (ENH-734), University of Florida IFAS Extension
- White Willow, The Morton Arboretum
- Black Willow, The Morton Arboretum
- Planting a Tree, International Society of Arboriculture, TreesAreGood.org
Top photo: Robert Graham, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons