How To Care For Dappled Willow Trees
Things Needed
- Water
- Fertilizer
- Pruning shears
Dappled willow trees, also called Salix integra "Hakuro Nishiki," are some of the smallest willow trees, growing only 4 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. They are hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8 where the temperature does not drop below minus-10 degrees Fahrenheit. Dappled willows are susceptible to disease and pests and as such require special care to thrive.
Step 1
Plant the dappled willow tree in an area with full sun or light shade and moist, fertile well-drained soil. The tree will tolerate sandy, clay and somewhat dry soil once established. It prefers somewhat acidic to somewhat alkaline soil, ranging in pH from 5.6 to 7.8.
Step 2
Water the willow, keeping it evenly moist the first growing season after planting. This will allow it to develop a deep root system. Do not allow it to dry out between waterings. Stop watering a few weeks before frost and begin again in the early spring.
- Dappled willow trees, also called Salix integra "Hakuro Nishiki," are some of the smallest willow trees, growing only 4 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide.
- Water the willow, keeping it evenly moist the first growing season after planting.
Step 3
Fertilize each spring with a general-purpose fertilizer. This will improve the color variegation of the plant throughout the growing season. Follow the directions on the package for application instructions.
Step 4
Prune the dappled willow in early winter or early spring when it lies dormant. Cut out any dead, diseased, infested or broken branches with pruning shears. For a short, dense plant, prune all branches down to 12 inches tall every few years. For a more open, taller plant, prune 1/3 of the branches down to the ground every or every other year.
- Fertilize each spring with a general-purpose fertilizer.
- For a more open, taller plant, prune 1/3 of the branches down to the ground every or every other year.
Tip
Dappled willow, like other willows, is particularly susceptible to disease. Pruning out 1/3 of the branches each year helps prevent disease and pest infestation, as this mostly occurs on old wood. If you notice your dappled willow has a disease, do not hesitate to prune all the diseased wood away, leaving very healthy wood left. The tree will rebound.