How to Planting Willow Tree in your Home Garden

Planting willow trees is an excellent idea for anyone looking to improve their garden. Imagine how relaxing a willow would look, swaying in the breeze as you unwind from another stressful day. Well, it is not only good for relaxation but planting trees is also great for the environment too.

Through the process of photosynthesis, trees emit oxygen into the atmosphere; essential for life. So if you are considering planting a willow tree, think no more: it can be a lot easier than you think.

Selecting your Willow Tree

Willow trees are a truly beautiful addition to any garden. When selecting the appropriate willow for you, it is first best to understand what it is you are looking for. Do you have a suitable space in which to position the tree, or does it tie in with the decor of your garden otherwise?

These are both considerations that should be thought out before taking the plunge and choosing a willow. It is a good idea to go to your local garden store for your willow.

Even if this is not necessarily the cheapest retailer, it is invaluable as a source of information – the employees of garden centers are often very knowledgeable as keen gardeners in their own right, and would be more than happy to discuss planting a willow tree, and the best, most effective ways to care for the tree.

Planting

The best time to plant your willow is from the end of January to mid-March, with autumn and spring causing problems for the growing tree. Plant a willow tree, it just could not be easier. As the tree in cutting form will initially have no roots, you simply push it into a hole in the ground of roughly 15 inches in depth.

It is very important to ensure the soil around the site is tightly compact, and weed control is another issue that should be of concern shortly after planting a willow tree.

The Importance of Tackling Weeds

Weeds around the site of the planted willow can be the biggest single problem. By creating competition for natural resources, these unwanted weeds actually hinder your tree’s chance of growth. However, do not despair, and by all means, do not let it put you off planting a willow tree.

There are numerous effective ways of getting rid of those weeds, and ensuring your tree has the best possible chance. Firstly, and most obviously there is hand weeding. By removing weeds from the soil by hand, temporarily eradicates the problem of natural competition.

Secondly, there is also a wide range of weed-killing products and sprays which serve to destroy the plant permanently by tackling the roots. These can be purchased from any DIY or garden store for next to nothing, so they should definitely be a consideration when planting a willow tree to avoid these weeds.

And that is pretty much all you need when planting a willow tree. These simple measures when planting your tree can really help make the difference between a strong, successful tree, and a weaker tree. Having said that, you also require a great deal of luck and dedication to your growing tree, but if you take the time, you will really reap the benefits of beautiful growth and the magnificent colors the tree produces all year round.

If you want to spruce up your yard by planting willows, you can easily start planting willow cuttings so that you will have lovely willows that will grow into beautiful trees in your yard. Houses with trees in the yard have a higher market value and will let you enjoy the fresh life that trees bring to the home.

After You Get The Cuttings

Once you receive your willow cuttings, you will want to take immediate action in order to give them the chance to grow and prosper. If you are not ready to plant them yet, you will want to store your willow cuttings in the fridge.

Put them in a loose plastic bag and they will keep for a few days until you are ready to plant them. This action only needs to be taken if they arrived to you in cool temperatures.

If you are dealing with willow cuttings that have already been exposed to hot weather, you will have to plant these cuttings immediately. You will either need to plant them into pots for future planting in your yard, or you can plant them directly into the ground as soon as you receive them.

Willow Cuttings in Pots

If you want to get the best results for your willow cuttings, you will want to start them in one-gallon pots. This will allow for the cuttings to get well rooted before you plant them in the yard.

The soil that you should use for the willow cuttings is a 50% mix of soil and sharp sand. Rich soil mixes should not be used because they can sometimes cause your willow cuttings to rot. What is most important when the cuttings are in pots is good drainage. Never allow the soil to dry out completely.

When the roots are able to hold the potting soil into place, you are ready to plant your willow cuttings in the yard.

Read More: Best 07 Fast Growing Trees That You Can Grow For Privacy

Planting in the Yard

Before you plant in the yard, soak the pot in a bucket of water. This will allow for all of the soil to get soaking wet. Remove when all air bubbles have ceased.

Now all you have to do is dig the hole in the yard and plant the cuttings. You will want to firm the soil around it and keep the cuttings wet for at least a year after you have planted them.

If you want to plant your cuttings directly into the yard without rooting in a pot first, you will follow much of the same steps although you will have to watch the cutting carefully for the first few weeks to make sure that your willow cuttings will take to the soil.

When you plant them, make sure that the weather is favorable. Do not try to plant willow cuttings in frozen ground. Spring and early summer are the best times to plant your willow cuttings directly into your yard, giving you the shade and plant life that you want.