While the willow tree may be famous for giving the appearance that it is weeping because of the long droop of its branches, it is a tree that brings joy to many people. The willow tree is a tree that can be a wonderful addition to your yard or garden if you choose the right place to plant it.
Willow trees do well in several different locations as long as they can get enough water. For instance, you can plant your willows as a fenceline, near a pond, or simply in your backyard. Willows can prevent erosion, add shade, or just add to the curb appeal of your home.
Whatever your reason for planting one, willow trees are often a great choice. Read on for all the info you need to choose a spot to plant your new willow tree.
What To Know About Willow Trees
We are also including tips on how to plant your willow tree and how to care for it long-term. So let’s get started so you can soon start enjoying your new willow tree.
There are many different types of willows, including some that are more like shrubs or bushes than trees. And then there are also the tree-type willows, like the weeping willow, which is the iconic tree you probably think of when you hear “willow tree.”
Weeping Willows: The Most Famous Willows Of All
Weeping willow trees are very distinctive trees, as there are not any other types of trees that have those same long, slender, flexible branches that reach to the ground and can sway and bend in the wind, rain, and even snow.
There are many types of willow trees, though the most popular type is almost certainly the weeping willow.
How Did The Weeping Willow Get its Name?
The weeping willow got its name because its branches slope to the ground so that raindrops run down them and off onto the ground, giving the appearance that the tree is crying or weeping. While they have a sad name, weeping willow trees are both distinctive and beautiful.
Things To Know About Weeping Willow Trees
According to Brandeis University, weeping willow trees often grow near lakes, ponds, or rivers. You might have seen them in parks near ponds or lining the banks of rivers.
And, according to Bates College, weeping willow trees do not live very long compared to other trees, especially long-living trees like oaks which have been known to live for hundreds of years. If you are looking for a tree that is not a legacy tree and that does not have to last as long in your yard or garden, a weeping willow might be a good choice.
Weeping willow trees are also sort of messy trees because their leaves are quite small and a lot of leaves fall throughout the growing process. So, if you do not want to have leaves in your yard, you might have some extra raking to do to keep your yard tidy if you decide to plant a weeping willow.
Root Systems Of Willow Trees
According to the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, willow trees have very shallow root systems, which means that their roots grow close under the surface of the ground instead of deep in the soil. This can cause problems with mowing or digging near willow trees, as these types of activities have the potential to damage the willow tree’s roots.
If you plant any type of willow tree, be careful with how you mow your lawn or what kind of planting and digging you do. If you want to plant other plants under your willow tree, for example, you will need to keep the willow tree’s root system in mind as you dig and as you choose what type of plant to place beneath it.
Trees With A Purpose
In New Zealand, willow trees are used to stop soil erosion on hillsides. Sometimes rain on hillsides can cause the soil to come loose and slide downhill, resulting in a loss of soil all down the side of the hill.
If a plant is planted there with a good root system, that can help the soil stay intact, as it is held together by roots. Then there is less erosion.
This is something that willow trees are so good at that they are specifically planted in New Zealand to keep the soil from eroding down the hillside.
While many weeping willows are planted on flat ground, you might consider this tree if you have a hill or area where you want the roots of a tree to keep the rain from washing away soil. Many rainy areas of the country might be interested in this use of willow trees.
An Important Tree For Science
Willow trees were the subject of what is considered by some to have been the first experiment that studied how plants get their nutrition; the experiment was conducted by Jean Baptista van Helmont in the 1630s.
So willow trees also have a historical significance in that they were instrumental in scientists’ first abilities to learn about what keeps trees and plants alive. Trees need nutrients from the soil, sunshine, and water, and this willow tree study was a big deal in helping people learn about the needs that trees have.
Choosing a willow tree might not only be good for your yard, but it also comes with a great story about its history in scientific experimentation!
Types Of Willow Trees
There are several different types of willow trees. Here is a quick reference chart to help you distinguish between some of the more popular varieties.
| Type of Willow Tree | Place of Origin | Characteristic | Growth | Environment |
| Weeping Willow Tree | China | Long, flexible branches that sway in the wind and can reach the ground | Up to 50 feet tall | Full sun |
| White Willow Tree | Europe and parts of Asia | Underside of leaves are white; frequently used for weaving baskets | Up to 100 feet tall | Full sun or partial shade |
| Goat Willow Tree | Europe and parts of Asia | Actually a shrub or hedge | Between about 12 to 30 feet tall | Partial shade or full sun |
| Purple Osier Willow | Europe, parts of Asia, north Africa | A shrub; purple stems with leaves that are blue green | Up to 15 feet tall | Full sun |
| Narrowleaf Willow or Coyote Willow | North America | A shrub version of a willow tree; used to build furniture; gray bark | Up to 15 feet | Full sun or partial shade |
| Peach Leaf Willow | North America | Leaves look like the leaves of peach trees; does not live long | Up to 50 feet tall | Partial shade or full sun |
| Dappled Willow | China, Korea, Japan, and Russia | Leaves that are pink, white, and green; red branches; also a shrub | Just 4 to 6 feet | Full sun or partial shade |
| Corkscrew Willow or Twisted Willow | China | Twisted branches; used as a bonsai tree; | Up to 50 feet tall | Full sun or partial shade |
| Bebb Willow | North America (northern areas) | Shrub used in woodworking; does not live long; dies easily | Between 10 and 30 feet tall | Full sun or even full shade |
| Scouler’s Willow | North America (northern areas) | Sometimes just called “willow;” provides food for wildlife; used as a hedge | Between 20 and 50 feet tall | Partial shade or full sun |
Where To Plant A Willow Tree
If you are interested in learning more about the most likely places you will see willow trees, take a look at our post on 8 Common Places Where Willow Trees Grow.
You might decide that you want to plant your willow tree in a traditional spot like one of those in our other article, or you might decide that the unconventional route is best for you. Whatever you decide, many places will work great for a willow tree.
Planting A Willow Tree Near A Pond
Bodies of water are natural habitats for willow trees. If you have a pond on your property, which many people who live on farms do, the willow tree might work great.
Willows are so fond of water that you can commonly find them growing alongside ponds or stream in public parks.
You might also consider a willow tree if you are in charge of making planting decisions for a public space like a park or if you have a pond or river near your place of business. Choosing to plant a willow tree near water is a great idea, as the water source can be instrumental in keeping your willow tree healthy.
Planting A Willow Tree In A Residential Yard
You can plant a willow tree in your front yard. But you do need to keep in mind the exact location and some of the qualities of your yard before you can know if the willow tree will grow well there or if it will cause problems.
For example, you should not plant a weeping willow close to the sidewalk or street. The long, hanging branches will eventually grow down to the ground, causing a nuisance or hazard for pedestrians on the sidewalk or cars on the street.
Also, make sure your willow tree is planted far enough away from your house that the branches will not droop onto the roof. A willow tree in a residential yard is best for a larger yard where the tree can have plenty of space for its branches all the way around to reach the ground without any obstacles in the way.
Planting Willows Along A Fenceline
As the chart above indicates, many types of willows are more like shrubs than trees and are therefore very well suited for use as hedges on property lines or fence lines.
If you had your heart set on a weeping willow, this may not be your first pick, but if what you are looking for is a natural barrier around your yard for privacy or just aesthetics, this is a great option. You will need to choose your willow tree wisely, so use our chart above as a reference to help you pick a willow that works well as a bush, shrub, or hedge.
How To Plant A Willow Tree
Planting a willow tree is very similar to planting any other type of tree, so if you have planted trees before, you have a head start. But, whether this is the first tree you have planted or the one hundredth, these tips can help you with some instructions and reminders along the way.
Prepare The Location For Planting Your Willow Tree
Before you plant, you should get the site ready where you are going to plant your willow tree. Doing this will help you make sure that you don’t run into any obstacles early in the process of planting.
First, check to see if the location is still as good as it was when you first chose it. Make sure sunlight levels, wind exposure, and proximity to your house, the street, the sidewalk, and other structures are all still acceptable.
Then clear the planting area of any debris like sticks, twigs, branches, excessive amounts of leaves or needles, weeds, and, of course, any litter or trash. Once you have cleared the area where you plan to plant your willow tree, you are ready to dig the hole for planting.
Digging The Hole For Your New Willow Tree
Once you have prepared the site, it is time to dig the hole in which you will plant your new willow tree. You will need a spade or a large shovel, depending on how large the willow tree is when you plant it.
Dig a hole that is about twice as large as the root ball of the new willow tree.
Make sure to allow enough depth so that the willow tree’s root ball is completely covered, but do not dig the hole so deep that too much of the tree’s trunk is covered; the bottom of the willow’s trunk should be level with the surface of the ground after you replace the soil you just removed.
At this point, you might want to spread a tarp before digging the hole so that you can place the soil you shovel out on top of the tarp. This way, when you finish replacing the soil around your tree, any excess soil that was displaced by the tree itself can easily be scooped up on the tarp for quick and easy removal from your yard.
Placing Your New Willow Tree In The Ground
When you have dug the hole for planting, then prepare your willow tree to go into the ground. First, you will need to remove it from the container it arrived in (if that is a plastic pot container, which is very common).
Remove The Tree From Its Original Container
.Do this gently, as this process is probably the time your new tree is most vulnerable to breaks or damage. The trees can be packed tightly in these containers, so this can be tricky.
First, try gently squeezing the outside of the container all the way around, then give the tree a slight wiggle to see if it will come loose from the container. If it will not, you might need to try the next step.
Use a pair of garden shears to cut a slit on the side of the plastic pot; do the same on the other side. This will expand the size of the pot, allowing you to easily and gently remove the willow tree without breaking any branches or disturbing the root ball.
Plant The Tree
Place the new willow tree gently in the center of the hole you dug, and lightly hold the tree trunk with one hand while you use the other to spade some soil all around until the tree will stand by itself. Then you can use your spade or shovel to continue replacing soil.
Work in a circle around the tree trunk to keep the soil level even and prevent the tree from bending over in any direction. Pat the soil gently periodically to make sure you replace enough soil.
When the pressed soil is even with the ground, you are finished! Congratulations on planting a willow tree!
Finishing The Planting Process
But you do have a couple more tasks before you are finished. The last step is to water the tree so it gets plenty of water on the first day to help it settle into its new space and acclimate to its new environment.
Using a garden hose is the easiest way to accomplish this task, but you can use a sprinkler if you prefer. Set your hose to a gentle spraying setting at first and water the whole tree, including the branches and any leaves.
Next, use any setting that does not damage the tree to thoroughly water the tree’s roots. Some people like to place a running hose or soaker hose on the planting site for an hour or so to make sure the tree gets plenty of water on its first day in the ground.
Set Your Willow Tree Up For Success
Once you have planted and watered your willow tree, you can give it a little extra protection for its first days in the ground, no matter where you planted it. These steps are usually using fertilizer or placing mulch.
Placing Mulch Around Your Willow Tree
Mulch can help prevent weeds from growing around the bottom of your willow tree, and it can help the soil around your tree retain water. These are important steps for tree health, so this is a step you should consider implementing on the first day you plant your new willow tree.
Place mulch around your willow tree in a circle, making sure that the mulch covers any ground that might have willow roots beneath it. But make sure to leave a gap between the tree trunk and the beginning of your circle of mulch, as you mustn’t pile mulch onto the actual tree trunk.
Using Fertilizer For Your Willow Tree
Don’t fertilize your tree in its first year, but after that, you can fertilize it to make sure it is getting the nutrients it needs. There are a couple of different types of fertilizer that you might want to consider.
For a fertilizer that does not use granules, you have to spread it around, you might want to try a fertilizer specific to trees, like Miracle-Gro Tree and Shrub Plant Food Spikes, which are just spikes you can stick in the ground around your willow tree, which means you do not have to worry about loose granules.
These are also good options if you want to choose spikes that are not just generic fertilizer but that are specifically meant to be used on trees, like your willow tree.
If you are open to using granules and would like to try something that is even more specific to your willow tree, not just trees and shrubs in general, you can try a plant food like Nelson Plant Food Crape Myrtle Food, which works for all flowering trees and claims to include willow trees.
With fertilizing, there is the possibility of other plants wanting to grow nearby. Take a look at the 8 best plants to grow under your willow tree!
There are lots of fertilizer options out there, so you should be able to find something that is a good fit for your new willow tree and your yard.
That’s A Wrap!
Now you are ready to choose a spot for planting and put these planting tips to good use so you can enjoy your new willow tree. Remember to take into account the type of willow tree you have chosen when you choose the place to plant it and how to care for it.
You can use a willow tree for decoration, shade, or even a border fence. These versatile trees and shrubs have a lot of potential when chosen for your yard or garden, or public parks and recreation areas.
Happy planting!
References
Hershey, D. R. (1991). Digging deeper into Helmont’s famous willow tree experiment. The American Biology Teacher, 53(8), 458-460.
McIvor, I., Douglas, G., Dymond, J., Eyles, G., & Marden, M. (2011). Pastoral hill slope erosion in New Zealand and the role of poplar and willow trees in its reduction. Soil erosion issues in agriculture, 257-278.
