Watering the white willow – tree portrait in the watering lexicon for trees

Content:

• White Willow Origin
• White willow care and location
• Pruning white willow
• Watering the white willow
• Fertilizing white willow

White Willow Origin

The white willow (Salix alba) is a genus of tree and shrub plants belonging to the willow family. It is native to Europe, North Africa and Western Asia and is found in many different climates. The white willow reaches a height of up to 20 meters and is known for its silvery, shiny leaves and long, floppy appearance. It is a popular plant in parks and gardens. It is also an important commercial tree because its wood is used to make paper and furniture.

In many cultures it was revered as a sacred tree and planted in holy places. In Greek mythology the white willow was associated with the god Dionysus. Dionysus was the god of wine, fertility and ecstasy. The white willow was often planted in vineyards because its wood was used to make wine containers. The white willow was also seen as a symbol of the transience and changeability of life. In mythology it was often used as a mourning tree because it was easy to cut and shape and its branches withered quickly.

The white willow is a dioecious tree that produces both male and female flowers in May. The male flowers can be identified by their hanging, tubular inflorescences and the female flowers sit singly on the branches.

The leaves of the white willow are long, narrow and shiny silver. They have a curved shape and grow on long stems. The length of the leaves can be between 5 and 20 centimeters, depending on the species.

The white willow has small, tubular fruits called capsules. They contain the seeds of the white willow and ripen in the autumn.

White willow care and location

White willows prefer locations with plenty of sun and well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. However, they also tolerate partially shaded locations and can grow in areas with poor soil as long as there is enough water and nutrients available. In hot, dry areas, white willows prefer locations with some shade where the soil does not dry out too much.

Pruning white willow

Pruning of white willows is usually carried out to promote the health and growth of the plant, to improve its appearance and to prevent possible damage from wind or other factors. Pruning can be done in spring to shape the tree and rejuvenate the crown. To maintain the health of the white willow, dead, diseased and damaged branches are removed.

Watering the white willow

The water requirements of white willows can vary depending on the species, size and location. In general, however, white willows have low water requirements and can thrive in areas with low rainfall. They are generally well adapted to dry soils and can tolerate dry periods.

However, it is recommended to water regularly during the growing season. This is especially true during long dry periods. During the growing season, the soil around the plant should be kept moist but not wet. The soil should be watered thoroughly and only moistened again when the soil becomes drier again. Very dry soil can cause root damage, so the soil around the white willow should be sufficiently moistened.

With conventional watering, there is a risk that a lot of water will evaporate or run off before it can reach the roots. A more efficient option is to use tree bath watering bags. Drip irrigation continuously releases water into the soil and the shallow roots can absorb it better. This means less water is used because it does not seep into the soil unnecessarily. The watering bag covers the surface of the soil and prevents water from evaporating.

Attaching and filling the tree bath watering bag is easy. The bag is placed around the tree trunk like a jacket and closed with a zip. In the next step, fill the bag with enough water so that after further alignment in the lower area no wrinkles are visible and then leave it  fill up.

Fertilizing white willow

The white willow does not need a lot of fertilizer to thrive. It is usually sufficient to fertilize it once a year with organic fertilizer, such as compost or horn shavings. The fertilizer should be applied to the soil before the new leaves sprout in spring. White willows can react sensitively to acidic soils. If the pH of the soil is too low, this can lead to nutrient deficiencies and result in difficulties in growth. In such cases, it may be necessary to adjust the pH of the soil using calcareous fertilizers. Regular soil tests are recommended so that appropriate measures can be taken if necessary.