Willow Trees

Willow trees, particularly weeping willows, are iconic trees for anyone who lives near water. These large trees have unique leaves and drooping branches, making them a popular choice for anyone looking to make their yard stand out. But where do willow trees grow?

Willow trees were originally native to parts of Central Asia and later to North America. In the United States, willow trees commonly grow in Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana in hot and humid climates near rivers, swamps and ponds.

However, there’s a lot more that goes into the location than just rattling off the names of a few states! In this article, we’ll dive into what makes an ideal habitat for willows, the types of willow trees, and the most common spots where you can find them.

How To Identify Willow Trees

Some species of trees are difficult to identify at a glance. Similar leaf shape and bark texture can leave two different trees nearly indistinguishable in the eyes of an amateur. Luckily, the willow is perhaps one of the easiest trees to identify.

Brandeis University explains that weeping willow trees (scientific name: salix babylonica) can grow up to 90 ft tall and have drooping branches. From afar, a willow tree might look like a large mushroom with an exceptionally large cap.

As you get closer to the tree, you’ll see that the leaves are thin and pointed, almost like a spearhead. The outer side of the leaves is usually a light green color, while the underside has a pale complexion. Willow bark is gray in color and very rough.

You’ll often find willows growing near water, whether that’s a stream, pond, or swamp. Because of the flexible nature of their branches, some willow trees might look like massive bushes, since their foliage reaches all the way to the ground. 

Willow Trees Grow Super Quick

According to the Arbor Day Foundation, willow trees can top more than 2 feet each year! In their early years, they can easily grow more than that amount in the right conditions. However, willows tend to have a short lifespan, living no more than 30 years in most scenarios.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to identify willows and other kinds of trees, it can be beneficial to get in a field guide for when you’re out hiking!

There’s nothing wrong with searching for photos on online, but it’s always nice to have a paper copy in the outdoors with you. The National Geographic Pocket Guide to Shrubs and Trees of North America is an essential reference guide that will make plant identification and your tree journey so much smoother!

Most Common Types Of Willow Trees

Willow Tree Overhanging Lake

The Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica) is the kind of willow that most people are familiar with. Despite being originally from Asia, the weeping willow is widespread across the United States. 

But there are a few other kinds of willow trees out there, too!

Scouler’s Willow (Salix scouleriana) – Scouler’s willow is one of the smallest kinds of willow trees, usually only reaching to be about 36 feet tall. It is named after the Scottish botanist John Scouler. This willow is common in the lower parts of Canada, throughout the Rockies, and parts of the Pacific Northwest.

White Willow (Salix alba) – The white willow can grow to be anywhere from 30 to 90 feet tall, and is largely located in the Great Lakes regions of the United States. Additionally, it’s fairly common in Europe and Central Asia. The white willow has lighter leaves than its brethren, hence the name.

Peach-Leaf Willow (Salix amygdaloides) – According to the United States Forest Service, the peach-leaf willow is one of the most widespread willow trees in North America, appearing in 27 states and 6 territories in Canada. It only grows to be about 40 feet tall, but still manages to be one of the tallest trees in the Great Plains region. Like its relatives, it thrives in wet conditions, but can also be found in dry, silt-like soil.

Types Of Willow Shrubs

Not all willows are trees, however, most are shrubs!

The Hakuro Nishiki (Salix integra) shrub is a common landscape feature, known for its colorful, variegated leaves. Other willow shrubs include the Bebb Willow (Salix bebbiana), Purple Osier Willow (Salix purpurea), and the Salix discolor

There are many variations of willows, some of which only grow in certain areas throughout the USA. These shrubs are used by conservationists to help combat erosion.

In a study conducted by the USDA and the Soil Conservation Service, willow shrubs were found to “maintain or restore endemic riparian and wetland plant communities.”

The tightly-woven root systems and rapid growth rate of willow shrubs make them the perfect vegetation for combating erosion during flood season. 

Plus, they provide foliage, vegetation, and food for native animal species! Elk, moose, small birds, and even honey bees benefit from willow shrubs.

The Most Common Places Where Willow Trees Grow

The weeping willow is a pretty hardy tree, and according to Pace University, it can even thrive in acidic soil conditions. They do, however, require a lot of water! This is why they are frequently found near or around ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers. 

As we mentioned earlier, willow trees can be found across the United States, typically growing close to the water in zones 4 through 9, although they flourish in zones 6-8.

Excluding a few areas in the northern reaches of the United States, as well as the lower parts of Texas and Florida, willow trees thrive in North America. Let’s discuss a few of these places in greater detail. The eight most common places where willow trees grow are:

  • Kentucky
  • Arkansas
  • Tennessee
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Georgia
  • Alabama
  • Louisiana

1. Kentucky

Kentucky is a great state for growing all kinds of plants. It’s right in the middle of the United States and has a hardiness zone of 6-7, making it the perfect place for weeping willows to grow.

Kentucky has a relatively temperate climate, with a clear start and end to its seasons. According to data collected by Kentucky State University for a state climate summary, Kentucky’s summers are hot and humid while winters are mild with occasional bouts of extreme cold.

Generally, high temperatures in the summer don’t break 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while in the winter high temps might be anywhere from 38 degrees to 44 degrees Fahrenheit.

On average, northern Kentucky receives 42 inches of precipitation while Southern Kentucky receives 52 inches. Parts of southern Kentucky inch their way into hardiness zone 7.

Fun Fact: One of Kentucky’s Champion Trees is a black willow (Salix nigra) in Harlan County at the Pine Mountain Settlement School. It was nominated as a champion tree in 2020 and is 62 ft tall with a 75 ft crown.

Branch of a flowering willow. Concept springtime background

2. Arkansas

Arkansas has a wide range of growing conditions, with the northwestern part of the state a zone 6-7, while the middle of the state is a zone 8. 

Arkansas has a humid subtropical climate, with temperatures ranging on both ends of the spectrum. In a climate study conducted by NOAA, it was found that this state experiences extreme temperatures. The average high temperatures in the summer can reach more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, while winter lows sit at about 25 degrees Fahrenheit!

The state is known for having massive amounts of precipitation, be it rain or snow. The climate study showed that generally, storms in Arkansas are capable of dropping 10 inches of precipitation in short periods of time. 

Like Kentucky, a black willow made the list of Arkansas’ Champion Trees. The tree is located in Burns Park in North Little Rock. The tree is about 134 ft tall with a crown width of 36 ft. 

3. Tennessee

Tennessee is probably one of the best places to grow a willow tree. The state is pretty much exclusively a hardiness zone 7, which is right in the middle of the recommended zones for S. babylonica.

When thinking about climate, Tennessee can be divided up into four distinct sections, as outlined by the East Tennessee State University Department of Climatology.

The westernmost division of Tennessee has a median temperature between 60 and 62 degrees Fahrenheit. The easternmost division of Tennessee is the mountainous region, so in some places, median temperatures can be as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally, Tennessee has a temperate climate.

When it comes to precipitation, most of Tennessee ranges anywhere from 60-65 inches per year. The lower flatlands experience less precipitation, and it mostly drains into the Cumberland or Tennessee rivers. These areas are where the bulk of willows grow.

Tennessee has one willow as its champion tree, again a black willow. It’s significantly smaller than the champion trees in Arkansas and Kentucky but still stands at 57 feet tall with a 50-foot crown spread. The black willow is located in Knox country.

4. North Carolina

North Carolina is split almost down the middle in terms of hardiness zone. The western portion of the state is zone 7, while the eastern part of the state is zone 8. Thankfully, weeping willows thrive in either zone, so they are widespread across the state. 

North Carolina is like Tennessee in terms of climate, with a range of temperatures throughout the year.

Generally, the temperatures can top 95 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, and drop to 20 degrees or below in the winter in North Carolina. According to a climate study conducted by the North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies, the number of extremely hot days hasn’t increased in the past years, but nighttime temperatures have increased, sitting at around 70 or 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

In terms of precipitation, North Carolina gets about 48-50 inches each year, but the climate study suggested that heavy rain and hurricane events could increase the average precipitation rate in the coming years. The wetter the better for weeping willows!

North Carolina boasts a weeping willow as one of its champion trees, with a height of 73 ft and a total circumference of 167 inches. The weeping willow is located in the town of Cashiers in Jackson county.

5. South Carolina

South Carolina is best known for its sandy beaches and palm trees, but it’s also an ideal growing spot for willow trees. The state is almost completely a hardiness zone 8, with a small portion of the northwestern tip inching into zone 7.

Data collected for a climate study by NOAA indicates that South Carolina is primarily classified by its hot, humid summers and lackluster winters. Average temperatures range from the 50s to the 60s, with warmer temps felt closer to the coast, while cooler days are the status quo in the Appalachian Mountain range.

Summers can be brutal in the low country, but winters are quite mild, with average temperatures between 40 and 47 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Midlands is the driest part of the state, with less than 40 inches of precipitation each year. Most other areas of South Carolina receive about 40-50 inches of rain a year, with more precipitation in the mountains. 

While there isn’t a registry of champion trees in South Carolina that features a willow, there is a unique variation of the tree that appears throughout both North and South Carolina. According to North Carolina State University, the Carolina willow (Salix caroliniana), commonly known as the swamp willow, only grows to be about 20 ft tall, but is notorious for growing in the worst possible soil conditions. For that reason, it’s often found near salt water and other water run-off areas. 

6. Georgia 

Like South Carolina, Georgia is primarily located in zone 8. There are a few areas in the north that are in zone 7, and a few places in the south and southeast that are in zone 9. While willows will grow in zone 9, the bulk of them are growing in hot, humid zone 8. 

Because Georgia has a portion of coastline near the Gulf of Mexico, and mountainous regions throughout the state (Appalachian and the Blue Ridge Mountains), temperature zones vary greatly. According to a study conducted by NOAA into the climate of Georgia, the state is known for long summers and short winters with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. 

Precipitation also ranges pretty drastically, with 70+ inches in mountainous areas, and an average of about 45-50 inches in the lowland areas. Snow is infrequent, and doesn’t usually amount to more than 5 inches.

Since the summers are so hot and humid, and rainfall is fairly consistent, Georgia is largely an agricultural state. But willows grow alongside those Georgia peaches!

In Georgia, a weeping willow made their champion willow list. It is located in Young Harris, which is in Towns Country, Georgia. The tree has both a height and crown spread of 52 feet, and was last measured in 2010.

peach-tree willow branches
Peach-tree willow branches.

7. Alabama

Alabama is largely land-locked, with the lower three-quarters of the state residing in hardiness zone 8, and the northern portion reaching into zone 7.

Alabama is at the perfect spot where air masses meet, coming up from the Gulf and down from the rest of the US, giving it a pretty mild climate.

NOAA conducted a study of the climate in 2020 and found that Alabama’s temperatures haven’t changed much since the early 2000s. Summer days are hot, with frequent days reaching above 95 degrees Fahrenheit. But, winters are mild and temperatures don’t drop much below 30 degrees in the north and 45 degrees in the south.

Alabama has pretty consistent precipitation, with only a few dry months near the end of the summer. On average, you can expect to see 55+ inches in any given year. This hot, wet weather is perfect for agriculture and even better for willow trees.

But, because Alabama sits right where air masses collide, the state has frequent tornadoes. These nasty storms wreak havoc on willows, which have characteristically weak limbs and snap easily in high winds.

Alabama has plenty of champion trees, but as of 2021, they lack a champion willow.

8. Louisiana

Louisiana is at about the southernmost point in the United States where willow trees grow. The northern portion of the state is a zone 8, while the lower half is firmly a zone 9.

The climate in Louisiana is hard to pin down because there will be wildly hot streaks and occasional brutally cold days. NOAA’s climate study indicated that historically, there are usually between 25 and 40 extremely hot days each summer, while the days with temps below freezing are next to none.

Precipitation in Louisiana is almost constant, with some places experiencing 60+ inches of rain every year.

Louisiana, being so close to the Gulf of Mexico, is subject to hurricane conditions during the summer. These storms often destroy a lot of property in southern Louisiana and can be a nasty problem for willow trees, which typically grow near floodplains.

Unfortunately, no willow trees made the list of Louisiana‘s champion trees.

Don’t Weep (Willow, That Is!)

Get it? Weeping willow? Ok, I’ll stop…

So, where do willow trees grow? Hopefully, you’ve learned that the ideal climate for willow trees is often hot and humid. Because willow trees have a relatively short lifespan (about 30 years), low temps can stunt their growth, so they love the weather in the southern US.

But just because they’re fans of the marshes, swamps, and riverbanks in the lower states, doesn’t mean they don’t pop up in other places! Most states in the US have weeping willow trees, and black willows too. The only states where you’ll be hard-pressed to find willows are in the north. Think Michigan, Wyoming, and Montana. 

Remember, willows prefer:

  • Neutral or slightly acidic soil
  • Full sun
  • Rich, moist growing conditions

Willow trees, like the weeping willow, are originally from Asia. But, because of their extensive root systems and incredibly fast growth rate, they’ve become a staple of erosion control specialists and landscapers throughout North America.

If your willow tree is causing an issue, take a peak at out guide on the reasons to cut down your willow tree for some tips!

References

Mutlu-Durak, H., & Yildiz Kutman, B. (2021). Seed Treatment with Biostimulants Extracted from Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica) Enhances Early Maize Growth. Plants, 10(7), 1449.

Szekely, G., & Dagmar, V. (2011). Willow trees in the parks of Timisoara. JOURNAL of Horticulture, Forestry and Biotechnology, 15(1), 75-77.

Roloff, A. (2020). WEEPING WILLOW AS A POTENTIAL URBAN TREE IN BHUTAN.

Willow trees make an excellent addition to the landscape. Their wispy branches and narrow leaves make them attractive yard trees. If you’re thinking about planting something under your willow tree, you may wonder what will and will not grow under a willow tree.

Plants that should not be planted under a willow tree include cotoneaster, mums, asparagus, leopard plant, dahlia, lupines, sedum, lilac, sage, peonies, forget-me-not, magnolia bush, and passion flower. These plants will either not grow or will struggle to flower under a willow tree.

Sprucing up the space under a willow tree adds plenty of ornamental value. Below, we’ll go over all the plants you can and can’t grow under a willow tree.

Why Do Some Plants Struggle Under A Willow Tree?

Some plants do fantastic in the landscape, but as soon as you plant them under a willow tree they begin to struggle. What gives?

The conditions under a willow tree are:

  • Shady
  • High competition for water
  • High competition for nutrients
  • Possibility of flooding 
  • Fast-draining soil

Willow trees are known for being tolerant of flood conditions and they’re also typically located near a stream or river.

The reason willows love being near water is that their roots are shallow and spreading as opposed to those that penetrate deep into the soil. This makes it easier for the tree to obtain water and nutrients.

Water and nutrients aren’t the only determining factor of willow tree success. A study reported in the Journal of Environmental Management found that soil texture was the main factor when determining the success of black willow tree growth along stream banks.

Specifically, willow trees grow BEST in sandy soils that are gritty and well-draining. They do the worst in silt and clay soils that stay wet.

If a plant requires full sun, is a heavy feeder, requires a lot of water, or prefers to sit in constantly-wet soil, it will not do well under a willow tree.

Plants You Shouldn’t Grow Beneath A Willow Tree

According to Oregon State University, North America is home to about 90 different types of willow trees.

Each willow has its preference for soil, moisture level, and nutrient requirements. For the most part, willow trees prefer to grow near water in sandy soil and prefer full sun conditions.

Plants that are heavy feeders, require full sun, and/or prefer wet soil should not be planted under a willow tree.

Let’s check out all the plants you can cross off your list of what to grow under a willow tree.

Depending on what type of willow you have, you may want to choose different plants. Read more about this in our article about the differences between willows and weeping willows.

Cotoneaster

Bright red berries of bearberry cotoneaster, dammeri with green leaves

Cotoneaster is a shrub that should not be planted under a willow tree. Though it is pretty when it blooms and beneficial to wildlife, this evergreen is not meant to be paired with a willow tree.

Cotoneaster shrubs prefer full sun and do not do well in flooding conditions. We mention flooding conditions because many willow trees grow best in areas that occasionally flood.

In addition to sun and water requirements, cotoneaster grows too large to fit under a willow tree. According to North Carolina State University, cotoneaster will grow between 6 and 10 feet tall.

Chrysanthemum

When fall comes around and every other plant seems to be wilting away, mums bring in a flash of bright color to cheer us up.

With a height of only 1 to 3 feet tall, mums would fit perfectly under a willow tree. Unfortunately, there are a few obstacles that make mums a poor companion to willow trees.

Mums prefer full sun and will struggle in the shade of a willow tree. Besides their sun requirements, mums are also heavy feeders, meaning they require a lot of nutrients to thrive.

Being a heavy feeder means that mums will struggle when trying to compete with a full-grown willow tree for nutrients. They may also steal vital nutrients that would otherwise be used by the willow.

Annual mums could potentially survive under a willow tree for a single fall season but if you plan to make them perennials, they just won’t make it.

Asparagus

If you have a willow tree planted near your garden, there are a few vegetable plants that are going to struggle. Asparagus is one of them.

For how small asparagus is in stores, the plant is quite large. According to the University of New Hampshire, asparagus roots can reach down as far as 15 feet! For this reason alone, asparagus cannot grow well under or near a willow tree. 

In addition to its deep root system, asparagus also requires full sun, at least 8 hours a day. Asparagus are also heavy feeders and will struggle when competing against a willow tree for nutrients.

Leopard Plant

Ligularia przewalskii plant is often grown near water

Also known as ligularia, leopard plants have shiny, attractive foliage and produce yellow flowers in the fall.

This evergreen perennial can survive in partial shade and will struggle if given too much sun. While it’s not too picky about soil PH, leopard plants must be grown in consistently moist soil.

Willow trees may prefer to live near water sources, but they do not enjoy being consistently moist. For this reason, leopard plants are not a good fit for under a willow tree.

Dahlia

Dahlias are perennial flowering plants that produce beautiful big flowers in a range of colors in the summer and fall.

These eye-catching plants check off almost all the requirements to be planted under a willow tree. They prefer sandy, well-drained soil. They’re the appropriate height growing between 1 and 6 feet and they’re low-maintenance.

Unfortunately, dahlia’s prefer full sun and do best when they get at least 6 hours per day. That being said, dahlias would be a good choice to plant around a willow tree if it is far enough away to receive full sun.

Lupine

Lupines are adored by gardeners and homeowners for their unique shape and colorful flowers. They can be grown as annuals or perennials and will bloom at different times depending on the species.

Lupines prefer coarse-textured soils similar to willow trees, but they require full sun to thrive. Lupines are also heavy feeders that will compete with your willow tree for nutrients.

Another thing to note about lupines is that they will not tolerate alkaline soils (high PH). This makes them a bit tricky to plant unless you are willing to perform a soil test.

Sedum

Sedum is a groundcover plant that is often mistaken for a stone crop because it grows readily in rocky and stony areas. 

According to North Carolina State University, sedum is a perennial that requires full sun, making it a poor companion plant to a willow tree. Sedum also has a low tolerance for flooding and wet conditions, which can happen often around a willow tree.

Sedum has a lot of positive attributes that make it an attractive plant for the landscape. It blooms yellow flowers in late spring to early summer and requires very little soil.

Sedum requires little nutrients and water and only grows to about 9 inches in height, making it a great plant to fit in tight spaces.

Lilac

Good old lilacs have been around for years and are a favorite in the landscape for their fragrant flowers of pastel pinks, purples, and whites.

Lilacs are shrubs that can grow up to 15 feet tall if left unmaintained. Their height makes them a poor companion to a willow tree. 

In addition to their height, lilacs prefer full sun conditions. If they are planted in shade or partial shade they can develop powdery mildew.

Lilacs are better used as large border plants or hedge plants for a natural privacy fence.

Sage

Green sage plant herb leaves. Healing herbs, medicinal herbs.

Even though sage is an herb, it can be grown as a flower if you don’t plan on using it as a spice. If allowed to flower, sage produces purple-blue flowers.

According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, sage does best in a sunny location and will struggle if placed in the shade. 

Peonies

Peonies are perennial plants that produce gorgeous flowers of red, white, yellow, pink, and purple. Peonies are long-lived and come back year after year.

There are a few reasons why peonies will not do well under a willow tree. One important fact is that peonies may not flower if they have to compete against willow roots for space, water, and nutrients.

An article in the New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science found that after just 9 months, willow tree roots can grow up to 18 feet laterally. With such fast growth, it’s no wonder they outcompete peonies and a host of other plants!

Additionally, peonies do BEST in full sun conditions. They can tolerate light shade, but will not bloom as many flowers and will struggle beneath the shade of a willow tree.

Forget-Me-Not

They’re named ‘forget-me-not’ for a reason! These short-lived perennials produce attractive pastel-blue flowers that you won’t soon forget.

Forget-me-nots can also be planted as an annual. They grow to about a foot, making them the right size to fit under a tree. However, these flowering plants will not thrive under a willow tree.

While forget-me-nots can survive with as little as 2 hours of sun per day, they prefer full sun and will not bloom as well when planted in the shade. Forget-me-nots also prefer consistently moist soil, which can be a problem when willow tree roots will suck up all the water.

Magnolia Bush

Magnolia is a large group encompassing over 100 different species. Some are trees while others are bushes. 

Here, we’ll be talking about the magnolia bush. This deciduous plant blooms in late winter and early spring, producing beautiful star-shaped flowers.

According to North Carolina State University, the magnolia bush prefers full sun and does best with consistently moist soils. 

Magnolia bushes will not survive under a willow tree if the tree is subject to flooding. Magnolia cannot tolerate flooding or extreme drought, making it a poor choice to plant under a willow tree.

Besides its inability to adapt to flood conditions, magnolia bushes can also grow over 20 feet tall. Unless you are dedicated to pruning it every year, it is too tall to fit under a willow tree.

Passion Flower

Purple and white passion flower found in the middle of the jungle

Passion flowers will give any landscape a tropical feel. Though these plants are native to Florida, they can grow in hardiness zones 6 through 11, which overlap with some of the willow tree’s territory.

These perennial vining flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds, making them a perfect plant for a butterfly garden.

While passion flowers are tolerant of many different conditions and are considered easy to grow, they will struggle under a willow tree. They may even be harmful.

Passion flowers are vines that will grow as tall and wide as the object they are growing on. If planted under a willow tree, they may climb up the tree, which can stunt growth and choke out smaller branches. 

If you are willing to commit to constant pruning, passion flowers can be planted near willow trees as they are low-maintenance and can tolerate both shade and drought/flood conditions.

What Plants Can Live Under A Willow Tree?

Now that we know what can’t grow under a willow tree, let’s talk a little bit about what can grow under these stately trees.

Plants that grow under a willow tree will need to be low-maintenance, shade-tolerant, flood-tolerant, and adaptable to different soil types.

Some of the plants that will thrive under a willow tree include:

  • Solomon’s seal
  • Daffodils
  • Laminium
  • Lily of the valley
  • Lamb’s Ear
  • Sword Ferns
  • Hosta
  • Viola
  • Jack in the pulpit
  • Ajuga
  • Feverfew
  • Pulmonaria
  • Gooseneck loosetrife
  • Foxglove

These plants are low-maintenance and shade tolerant. Some are tolerant of flood conditions if your willow tree is planted on or near an area that sees occasional floods.

How To Help Plants Thrive Under A Willow Tree

The environment under a willow tree is too harsh for most plants, but there are quite a few exceptions! 

Shade-tolerant plants that are low-maintenance and require little water will thrive under a willow tree and will not over-compete for nutrients.

However, life is still rough trying to thrive beneath a tree. Here are some steps you can take to make sure your willow tree AND your plants stay happy and healthy:

  • Give plants enough water: Willow trees use A LOT of water per day. When you place another plant under a weeping willow, it may use some of the water your willow tree needs. Be sure to water your tree and new landscape plants frequently.
  • Apply fertilizer when necessary: Established willow trees do not need to be fertilized, but if you notice your tree looking a little droopy, it may be competing for nutrients with the plants you put beneath it. 

Apply a balanced 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 fertilizer to spruce up your willow tree and landscape plants.

  • Choose the right location: If the plant you’ve chosen does best in dense shade, pick a spot that receives the least sun. If it needs only partial shade, pick the place beneath your willow that receives the most sun.

You may also want to keep wildlife away from these plants and your tree. Specifically, snakes love willow trees. You can learn more about keeping snakes away from your willow tree here!

Alternative Options For Under A Willow Tree

If you’re not so sure about planting flowers beneath your willow tree, you have other options to make the space underneath look super nice yet remain low-maintenance.

Plant Grass Under Willow Trees

Willow tree by the Pond with the mirroring on the surface

One option is to simply plant grass under your willow tree. A shade tolerant blend like Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Dense Shade Mix comes in a 7-lb bag. The seeds will sprout with just 3 hours of sun per day and will cover up to 1,750 square feet.

The same brand comes in a smaller 3-lb bag in case you only have a small area to cover under your willow tree.

One negative thing with grass is that it can attract snakes. If you are having this problem, you should give our article on 4 ways to keeps snakes away from willows a read.

Use Landscape Fabric And Decorative Stones

Another option is to strip away the existing grass under your willow tree and create a rocky landscape instead of a flower-themed landscape.

Place landscape fabric around the willow tree, making sure not to get too close to the trunk. ECOgardener’s Premium 5oz Pro Garden Weed Barrier Landscape Fabric comes in a 3’ x 50’ roll that can be cut to fit the shape under your willow tree.

Make sure to strip away the existing grass first so you can start with a blank slate. Once you place the fabric down, search for some decorative stones or pebbles that will look nice beneath your willow tree.

Midwest Hearth Natural Decorative Polished White Stones are an excellent choice. The soft white color will blend naturally with the environment while at the same time stand out as a stunning piece of landscape artwork!

For a more natural look, go with smooth river rocks in shades of brown, black, and grey. River rocks also go with the willow tree theme as they are found in or near water sources.

Mulch Around Your Willow Tree

Mulch can be beneficial to have around your landscape trees and plants. It helps keep plants warm in the winter and will retain moisture to prevent trees from drying out.

Instead of worrying about flowers, landscape fabric, or grass, you can simply mulch the area around your willow tree.

Keep the mulch at least 6 inches away from the trunk to avoid over-moisturizing the trunk, which can promote rot and cause fungus to develop.

Mulching will help keep weeds down for a season or two, but eventually, weeds will pop up between the mulching. You can prevent this by laying down landscape fabric under the mulch.

That’s All For Now!

Willow trees are amazing landscape specimens that thrive near waterways. Whether you have a massive weeping willow or a small Bebb willow, they certainly catch the eyes of all who pass!

Planting beneath a willow tree can be tricky. Plants that prefer full sun, are heavy feeders, or require lots of water will struggle under the dense shade of a willow tree.

Now, for a quick recap:

The plants you should not grow under a willow tree include:

  • Cotoneaster
  • Mums
  • Asparagus
  • Leopard plant
  • Dahlia
  • Lupine
  • Sedum
  • Lilac
  • Sage
  • Peonies
  • Forget-me-not
  • Magnolia bush
  • Passion Flower

All of these will struggle if planted under a willow tree. Instead, you’ll want to look for lower-maintenance plants that don’t mind sitting in the shade.

Best of luck on your willow tree journey!

References

Cao, Y., Repo, T., Silvennoinen, R., Lehto, T., & Pelkonen, P. (2011, January). Analysis of the willow root system by electrical impedance spectroscopy. Journal of Experimental Botany62(1), 351-358.

Doffo, G. N., Monteoliva, S. E., Rodriguez, M. E., & Luquez, V. M.C. (2016, October 03). Physiological responses to alternative flooding and drought stress episodes in two willows (Salix spp.) clones. Canadian Journal of Forest Research47(2), 174-182.

Larsen, M., & Trapp, S. (2006, February 07). Uptake of Iron Cyanide Complexes into Willow Trees. Journal of Environmental Science Technology40(6), 1956-1961.

Phillips, C.J., Marden, M. & Suzanne, L.M. Observations of root growth of young poplar and willow planting types. N.Z. j. of For. Sci. 44, 15 (2014).

Schaff, S. D., Pezeshki, S. R., & Shields Jr., F. D. (2003). Effects of Soil Condition on Survival and Growth of Black Willow Cuttings. Environmental Management31, 748-763. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00267-002-2909-y

Depending on who you ask, willow trees can be polarizing; while some gardeners love them, others curse these trees for being difficult to keep alive, water-seeking plants of misery. Whether you love willows or you hate them, one thing is certain: it’s difficult to grow plants under their canopy. You can do it though if you use these best plants to put under your willow tree.

Shallow-rooted, vigorous-growing native plants do well under willow trees. Shade-tolerant plants also thrive in these conditions. The best plants for under your willow tree are vinca minor, hostas, lily of the valley, jack in the pulpit, Solomon’s seal, carpet bugle, daffodils, and white trillium.

Don’t despair if the area under your willow tree looks like it needs something to make it look more interesting. We have plenty of ideas to turn that drab area into an eye-catching excitement that compliments the splendor of your willow tree. Let’s dive right in!

What Are Willow Trees?

There are over 400 varieties of willow trees, from small shrubs to giants towering nearly 100 feet into the air. One thing they all have in common is their love of water and moist soil. They are often seen along banks of ponds or streams where their roots help to hold the soil together.

Willows and weeping willows are very similar, but also have distinct qualities. Like how every square is a rectangle, but not every rectangle is a square. You can read about their differences here!

There’s something majestic about a weeping willow that has long, vine-like branches trailing down to the water’s edge. That must be one reason so many people love these popular trees.

These sweeping canopies make it difficult to grow most plants below them. While this article focuses on what you can plant, there are some you want to stay away from. Learn more in our full list of plants not to grow under your willow tree!

Popular Species Of Willow Tree

Some of the most popular willow trees include the iconic weeping willow, Salix caprea, and corkscrew willow. Weeping willows are large trees that have thin branches that cascade down to look like a tree in mourning.

The Salix caprea produces fuzzy catkins in early spring. These branches are often dried and used in home decor. A bunch of these branches set in a decorative vase can liven up a normally boring corner.

Catkins are petalless flowers that can look like fuzzy spikes or miniature bottle brushes that grow from trees like willows, oaks, aspens, and birches. Weeping willow catkins can attract honeybees, butterflies, and other pollinators because they produce small amounts of nectar.

Corkscrew willows have an all-year-long visual appeal because of the curving habits of the branches. The twisting branches look more frizzy than Ms. Frizzle’s hair on a hot, humid southern day. The good thing about the corkscrew willow is they don’t have to worry about bedhead. Their frizzy, curled branches are what makes them look so amazing.

What To Watch Out For With Willow Trees

Homeowners have to be careful planting willow trees as they are fast-growing trees that can break easily in bad weather. Their roots can also be incredibly invasive if they find a source of water. They can infiltrate pipes, or dig into underground pools if there is only a tiny crack where they can cause quite a bit of damage.

These issues and more may lead you to cut down your willow tree, but that decision is usually a last resort!

Best Plants To Grow Under Willow Trees

Natural landscape. view from shore of the lake or river of the weeping willow on the other side.

When searching for plants that can handle the stressful environment under willow trees, there are a few things to search for. You need to find plants that can tolerate or grow well in shady areas.

The canopy of willow trees, especially weeping willows, can keep most sunlight at bay nearly all day long. Look for plants that do well in partial to full shade unless you plan on placing these plants along the outer edges of the trees where they are likely to get more sunlight.

Look for plants that like moist soil because a dry willow won’t last very long. While some hybrids take better to dry dirt, the vast majority of willow trees need a lot of water to stay alive. So you don’t want to find shade-loving plants that grow best during dry periods.

Shallow-rooted plants are something else to look for. Willow tree roots can create dense pockets of thirsty roots that are very competitive when it comes to nutrients and water.

Planting something with deep, heavy roots under a willow tree will probably end up getting choked out by the willow roots. 

While you can certainly find more plants that can coexist with your willow tree by following the above recommendations, here are nine plants you can plant under your willow tree.  

Vinca Minor Will Thrive Under Willow Trees

Hardiness Zone4 – 9
Bloom TimeSpring to summer
Average Size6” tall. Ground cover
Water NeedsDrought tolerant

This hardy ground cover is also known as periwinkle or creeping myrtle. It is a shallow-rooted, evergreen, vine-like creeper that can grow well in different soil conditions. This vine produces dainty five-petaled flowers in mid-spring and sometimes again in the fall. 

The flowers can be purple (periwinkle), blue, or white, and they often attract small butterflies. The leaves are oblong, glossy, and deep green, but they also come in variegated versions with an outside border of white or cream coloring. For an easy way to liven up the area under your willow tree, vinca can do the trick.

Even though it’s a vine, you don’t have to worry about it crawling up and choking out your trees like other species like English ivy, or wisteria. Vinca minor likes to stay close to the ground and make a carpet of green leaves. 

Periwinkle is easy to propagate as well as it will spread well on its own, or you can take cuttings and start them in water. As the plant sends out runners, wherever the thin branches touch the ground, they will shoot out small roots. 

You can also cut small sections from the vines, remove the bottom half of the leaves, and put the bare area in a small container of water. In a few weeks, roots will sprout, then you can take them and put them in the ground. That’s it, you have a new vinca plant.

Find 50 vinca minor roots right here: Greenwood Nursery / Live Ground Cover Plants – Vinca Minor!

Hostas Grow Beautifully Below Willow Trees

Hardiness Zones3 – 9
Bloom TimeSummer
Average Size12” tall and wide, up to 4’ tall and wide
Water NeedsMinimal once established

These vigorous foliage plants with attractive mounding habits are great for planting further away from the trunk of willow trees. When planted too close to the willow’s trunk, the roots can choke hostas out, so plant these closer to the drip line of the tree. 

Hostas come in an array of colors and sizes so you could plant an entire ring of these perennial plants around your willow trees and not have two of the same. They do better with shady or early morning sunlight and like to have moist soil, so they will coexist well with willow trees. 

Hostas can be separated after a few years of growth because they send out runners which sprout new mounds. They can also spread by seed, so even if willow roots choke them out, they typically keep growing new plants. 

Depending on the variety, hostas can flower in spring or into late summer. The plant sends out a handful of spikes where small, drooping flowers will appear and bloom for a few weeks before fading away. The foliage grows in early spring and continues to grow until a hard frost shrivels them. 

When they die back, cut out the brown foliage and flower spikes to keep infections away, and they will come back next season bigger and fuller. 

Colossal varieties of hostas might appeal to you because you won’t have to plant too many of them, but with their bigger, deeper roots, they may struggle against a willow tree. Stick to normal-sized hostas which grow about a foot to three feet wide and about a foot tall.

With their spreading habits, you’ll have plenty of hostas growing under your willow trees in no time. 

You can get a variety of six hosta roots here: Mixed Hosta Perennials (6 Pack of Bare Roots).

Lily Of The Valley Grows Great Under Willow Trees

Hardiness Zones3 – 8
Bloom TimeSpring
Average Size12” by 12”
Water NeedsMoist

Another plant that will help to cover the area under your willow trees is the fast-growing lily of the valley. These flowers grow wide, oblong, green leaves and sprout little, bell-shaped flower stalks in the spring. Lily of the valley are fast-growing shade-loving plants that like moist soil. 

In the hottest areas, these plants might wither away in the heat of the summer, but they usually come back every spring. In cooler climates, they will stick around until a hard frost when they go dormant for the winter and return later.

They spread through rhizomes and when they get crowded together can easily be split apart and transplanted. Once you plant these flowers though, they can quickly spread out on their own. Especially if they get enough water and stay out of the southern sun.

You don’t have to worry about deer or rabbits eating your lily of the valley if you have these foragers in your area. Lily of the valley doesn’t contend with many pests aside from aphids and occasionally mites, but these pests rarely do enough damage to the plants to harm them. 

Lily of the valley flowers are such vigorous growing plants they are considered invasive in some areas. Check with your local nursery expert to find out if these flowers are acceptable in your area. 

If lily of the valley sounds like the plant for your willow, check out this White Lily of the Valley!

Jack-In-The-Pulpit Makes Great Ground Cover

Hardiness Zones4 – 9
Bloom TimeSpring to summer
Average Size12” to 24” tall 
Water NeedsMoist

These plants resemble the carnivorous pitcher plant, but they don’t have that habit. They prefer to get their nutrients from rich, moist, sometimes swampy soil. Because they like their soil to be “juicy” and full of nutrients, much like willow trees, these flowers can do well around willows. 

Jack-in-the-pulpit are flowers that love shade and are often found underneath trees in their native areas. According to the U.S. Forest Service, jack in the pulpits are also called Indian turnips and are found in deciduous forests and floodplains. They can live for over 25 years and will spread out over time.

Jack-in-the-pulpits are exotic-looking plants with three sectioned leaves and odd flower shapes. They are cylindrical and long, with a type of hood that hangs over the open end of the flower, and they grow as tall as the leaves. The flowers are typically green with maroon stripes.

Once the flowers have been pollinated, they create clusters of seeds on a single spike. These berries ripen to a bright red and are a food source for some birds. 

These plants can make a showy, exotic addition to any garden. Combined with a dense ground cover, your willow tree could be the envy of the neighborhood. 

For exotic looking jack-in-the-pulpit bulbs, take a look at these 10 Jack-in-The-Pulpit Bulbs.

Solomon’s Seal Will Grow Under Willow Trees

Solomons seal flowering in the spring
Hardiness Zones3 – 9
Bloom TimeSpring
Average SizeSome varieties can grow to 7 feet tall. 12” to 4’ wide.
Water NeedsMoist

Solomon’s seal is another slow-growing perennial that can live for decades. They spread so slowly that many owners of this flower simply let them grow as they please. Most varieties don’t get large, only growing a foot or two tall.

These plants are virtually maintenance-free. The only thing you need to do for Solomon’s seals to keep them healthy is to water them regularly and protect them from the sun. They prefer soft, humid soil and only dappled sunlight, too much sun will scorch the leaves.

You won’t even have to deadhead the flowers or cut back the growth when they go dormant for the cold season. The vegetation separates itself from the rhizomes on its own so you don’t have to cut the dried growth for plant health. 

Solomon’s seal blooms in the spring. They send out small, white, bell-shaped flowers that run along a single stem. After the flowers drop, berries grow that some bird species will consume. 

With a thick bed of mulch and a couple of handfuls of Solomon’s seal, you can make the area under your willow tree beautiful and natural looking.

You can find bare roots of Solomon’s seal here: Solomon’s Seal Plạnts Perennial Bare Root Stock.

Carpet Bugle Will Cover Under Your Willow Tree

Hardiness Zones3 – 10
Bloom TimeSpring
Average Size8” tall. Ground cover
Water NeedsMoist

Also known as ajuga, or bugleweed (uh oh, when “weed” is in the name, that can’t be good), carpet bugle will cover a barren area rather quickly. Carpet bugle is an evergreen ground cover that can grow almost anywhere, that includes under willow trees.

This thick ground covering can choke out weeds, control erosion, and fill in spots other plants can’t seem to manage. It keeps its visual appeal all year long and blooms with blue, purple, or white flowers from May through June. 

So… the bugleweed can become a nuisance because it’s a member of the mint family. If you have any experience with mint, you’re probably experiencing a bout of PTSD right now.

Don’t worry, because carpet bugle isn’t as bad as mint, you won’t have to burn your entire yard to get rid of it. 

While this plant will grow well underneath the canopy of willow trees and the shade they provide when it hits full sun, the fast-spreading habit slows down, so it’s easier to control. Also, bugleweed sends out visible runners, instead of popping out from thin air like mint does.

When you take the runners and reposition them, they will continue to grow in that direction, so you have control there. 

You can also contain carpet bugle by installing edging around it. Unlike most other mint family plants, this flower usually respects boundaries, instead of acting like an invasive neighbor that shows up at the wrong time, every time. 

Deadheading them before they shower the ground with seeds is another way to keep the carpet bugle from disrespecting boundaries. They can still spread out, but this way they slow it down. 

While you can cover a large area with a few plants, when they start to clump together in tight clusters, you’ll have to separate them to keep them healthy and reduce infections.

Though this plant requires a bit more work than others on the list, they are one of the strongest contenders that can keep up with willow roots, and they look good all year long. 

Daffodils Spring Up Under Willow Trees

Hardiness Zones4 – 8
Bloom TimeSpring
Average Size6” to 12” by 6” to 30”
Water NeedsDrought tolerant

These spring-blooming bulbs are a great addition for naturalization and a pop of early spring color. Daffodils or jonquils, as they are sometimes called, are easy to care for. All you need to do is plant them in the fall for spring flowers and let them go. 

They will begin to sprout when the winter days start to let up, then they produce yellow, orange, or sometimes white flowers that hang around for a little while before they shrivel up.

The foliage will stick around for a month or two after the flowers are gone, so you will have some color under your willow tree until summer. 

Add these bulbs to a ground cover like vinca and you’ll have year-round color in the once barren area under your willow. All you have to do with daffodils is to cut away the brown, dried foliage, and separate them when they get crowded.

You can get wild, brilliant yellow daffodils right here—Wild Daffodil (Bulbs).

White Trillium Flourishes Under Willow Trees

Trillium field
Hardiness Zones4 – 8
Bloom TimeMid spring to summer
Average Size1’ by 2’
Water NeedsHumid soil

Found in abundance in the wilds of the Appalachian mountains, white trilliums thrive underneath the thick canopies of trees and forests. They do better with rich, moist, loamy soil, which is where you’ll find most willow trees. 

According to the U.S. Forestry Service, trilliums can be found as far north as Canada and Maine, as far west as Minnesota, and all over the Appalachian mountains, down into Georgia. In the Blue Ridge Mountains along Virginia, you can find a vast expanse of trilliums that are estimated to carry 10 million plants. 

These beautiful perennial plants can be propagated by separating their rhizomes, but it’s a slow process. It can take a few years before new plants bloom while growing trilliums from seed can take even longer. Sometimes these plants won’t bloom from seeds for up to seven years. 

You won’t have to worry about these slow growers taking over anytime soon, but they are a long-lived flower. White trilliums can grow back year after year for up to 25 years. 

White trilliums produce emerald-colored leaves and a single three-petaled white flower per plant that bloom from late April until June. Though they are named white trilliums, occasionally you can find a pink flower amongst the sea of white and bright green.

Trilliums are endangered in the wild, so if you see them on a hike through the forest, it’s best to let them be and find them in your local nursery. They make brilliant companions with jack in the pulpits and hostas.

Watering Around Your Willow

When you plant flowers, ground cover, or shrubs under your willow trees, it might seem like second nature to water the new arrival. This needs to be done to keep them healthy and welcome them to their new home, but neglecting the willow tree could cause early problems.

The roots will sense this alternative source of water and send out little feeder roots. 

These new roots could quickly drown out or choke the new arrivals. Not a great way to start a cohesive living arrangement. To avoid this, you need to water the ground all around your willow tree so that it doesn’t create these invasive feeder roots. 

Set Your New Plants Up For Success

Whenever you water these new plants, don’t forget to hit the ground all around the willow. To limit the need to water all the time, add a layer of mulch around the willow tree.

Just keep the mulch about two to three inches away from the trunk so it doesn’t cause problems on the trunk. 

The mulch not only serves to make the area look better and more professional, but it helps to keep moisture in the ground (you don’t have to water as much). The mulch also adds organic material to the ground as it breaks down. 

Also, be careful when watering your willow trees. Snakes love to take shelter under these huge trees! You can learn more about how to keep snakes away from your willow trees here!

Place Plants In Containers As An Alternative

If all these plants seem like too much trouble, or they just don’t work, you can always make the area interesting by adding a variety of container plants

There are many benefits to doing containers underneath trees. They can be moved, you can plant almost anything in the containers—as long as it’s big enough for the plant in question—and you don’t have to worry about the tree competing for water and nutrients.

The problems with containers are they can become exceptionally heavy, and you’ll have to water them much more often because the soil will dry out faster.

With all the shapes, sizes, and materials containers are now made from, you have endless options if this is the route you decide. You can also put plants in the ground and compliment them with a few containers if you wish. 

Wrapping Things Up!

Now you have endless options for ideas to spruce up the barren area under your willow trees, so go out there and get planting.

Plant some bulbs, or a few taller plants for color and contrast, then add some ground cover to fill in between these spaces. 

Willow trees can be difficult roommates because of their greedy, invasive roots, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a pleasant garden underneath that thick, swaying canopy. 

References:

Jensen, Julie K., et al. “The potential of willow for remediation of heavy metal polluted calcareous urban soils.” Environmental pollution 157.3 (2009): 931-937.

Wilkinson, A. G. “Poplars and willows for soil erosion control in New Zealand.” Biomass and Bioenergy 16.4 (1999): 263-274.

Phillips, Chris J., Michael Marden, and Lambie M. Suzanne. “Observations of root growth of young poplar and willow planting types.” New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science 44.1 (2014): 1-12.

Mickovski, Slobodan B., et al. “The effect of willow roots on the shear strength of soil.” The soils of tomorrow: soils changing in a changing world (2008): 247-262.

A tree is a remarkable thing— what kind of person would ever want to cut one down? Sadly, real life is a bit more complicated than The Lorax makes it seem. Eventually, trees must come down, especially if it’s looking like it will do so on it’s own. Your willow tree is no exception.

If your willow tree is damaged or at risk of falling, it needs to be cut down. Trees that have fungus, are leaning, have lopsided branches, are hollow, have damaged roots, interfere with traffic, or are too close to houses, other trees and power lines need to be removed for safety purposes.

It can be difficult to know when to make the call to cut down your tree. Here are 15 signs that your willow’s time with you has come to an end.

Cut Down Willows You’re Tired Of Cleaning Up After

This is a valid reason to cut down your willow tree.

If tree maintenance has become more of a burden than a joy, it’s time to remove your willow.

This is not a lazy choice, either! According to the University of Marylandwillows are sometimes listed as an “undesirable species” of tree due to the high maintenance they require.

Weeping willows, for instance, have stems that grow towards the ground rather than towards the sky. These branches must be pruned every year or else they become a dense, tangled curtain.

Tiny, pointy, willow leaves look beautiful while on the tree, but they can be a nightmare to rake in the fall.

Keep in mind that you might be able to prevent some of the biggest maintenance problems by investing in quality tools. 

This Corona DualLink Tree Saw and Pruner has a built-in 10-foot extension pole. It allows you to cut higher branches (without climbing on a ladder!)

The right tool can make an agonizing task not only tolerable but even somewhat enjoyable.

But perhaps you do not have the time, ability, resources, or desire to care for your trees. If this describes your situation, consider this your permission to take a major chore off of your plate.

The Roots Are Poking Out Of The Ground

Willow tree with exposed roots in a park

Willow trees have a relatively shallow root system. It’s supposed to be that way so that they can better absorb water. 

The roots are intended to be completely underground, fanning away from the tree at a depth of about 4-6 inches. 

But that doesn’t always happen.

Sometimes soil erodes, leaving a bare space around previously buried roots.

As the willow aged, perhaps roots that were previously under the soil grew too large and are now exposed.

Maybe the willow had an inconsistent water source and developed peculiar root patterns as a way to try to accommodate and survive.

Whatever the reason, roots that are above the ground are at risk of experiencing significant damage. 

Many landscapers have shuddered at the tell-tale chopping noise that comes from the lawnmower when you hit a root that was hidden in the grass.

Once the damage is done, there’s not very much you can do about it. 

You also must consider the risk that exposed roots can be to people and animals. If a root is hidden by long grass, it can become a tripping hazard. This is especially true if long grass or other plants are growing around the base of the tree.

Can’t you just cut away the problematic roots? Not exactly. 

According to Purdue University, pruning roots causes serious damage to the tree. Your tree will not be able to replace established roots, causing it to absorb fewer nutrients than the tree demands.

Your choice is to either live with the exposed roots, or to remove the tree.

If the roots are exposed and causing problems, it’s time to cut down your willow.

There’s Damage To The Willow‘s Tree Trunk

Sometimes we forget about the trunk of a tree. But it’s more than just a “branch holder”.

The trunk is a tree’s stem. It takes nutrients from the roots and transports them to the leaves. 

We’re used to seeing wood after a tree has been cut down: it’s dry, hard, and unchanging. But when a tree is alive, the trunk is wet inside. 

The trunk is firm enough to support the weight of the tree, but also flexible enough to transport water through a complex daily cycle.

If there is damage to the trunk, the tree has a reduced ability to transport nutrients.

The size of your willow will determine how much stress the trunk can take. 

An older, mature willow tree trunk might only react to extreme damage, such as getting hit by a car. A younger, fragile willow sapling might sustain serious trunk damage from a bad windstorm or a misplaced step from a human caretaker.

Sometimes a tree can adapt to damage. Just like your body might heal from a wound, the trunk will form a similar scar.

But if the trunk is too damaged to support the tree, you will need to cut it down. Otherwise, you run the risk of the tree falling on its own!

The Majority Of The Willow’s Branches Are Damaged

Detail of a willow trunk with the bark eaten by deers in the cold long winter.

One damaged branch is not a death sentence for a tree. But if there are more damaged branches than there are healthy ones, this is a sign that your tree is in significant distress.

Ideally, dead branches are removed through an annual pruning process. 

Perhaps a particularly strong windstorm or two will knock down a few more sticks throughout the year. 

But aside from this, dead branches should be a rare sight. When you look at your willow, you should see healthy, living branches.

How can you tell if a branch is healthy? In spring or summer, it will be full of green, healthy leaves. 

If it is not autumn or winter and your tree has dead (or absent) leaves, the branches are dead.

If pruning away the dead branches would leave you with little more than an empty trunk, this is a sign that your willow is dying and needs intervention.

The Willow Tree Has A Hollow Trunk

Wild animals may love to live in hollow trunks in the forest, but this is a massively dangerous situation in your yard.

Hollow willow tree trunks are already dead. The stem of the tree has stopped functioning correctly and is not bringing nutrients to the upper parts of the tree.

Decomposition has set in. The tree is empty on the inside because part of the trunk is missing, and the remaining parts are severely weakened. This is a recipe for a collapse.

A hollow tree is not as strong as one with a solid, living trunk. If your willow is hollow, call an arborist as soon as you can!

Hollow trunks can also make great hiding places for pests such as snakes. Read up on the 4 ways you can keep them away from your willow trees!

Large Limbs Aren’t Producing Leaves

Limbs are the main branches of a tree. In large trees, they are very heavy and support many other smaller branches.

If large limbs are losing leaves and drying up this could mean they’re ready to fall.

The limb falling could happen in a major storm, but it could also happen whenever the force of gravity is stronger than the decomposing wood keeping the limb attached to the tree.

At this point, you really don’t want anyone under the tree in these circumstances.

You can choose to prune that bad limb, but this means that a high percentage of the tree will be removed in the process.

When large limbs are reaching their end, it’s better to cut down the tree.

Your Willow Tree Is Lopsided

Broken Tree Branch. Storm damaged willow tree branch. High quality photo

Maybe you or somebody else have already pruned major limbs on the tree. This may leave it looking lopsided and generally uneven.

While no law says a tree must be “pretty” to earn a spot in your yard, a lopsided tree is undesirable because it indicates that the tree may be structurally unsound.

If a tree is lopsided, it’s always wise to consult with a professional to know why exactly it is growing that way. If something is wrong, you should remove the tree.

There’s Fungus Or Other Issues With The Tree

Unfortunately, fungus can be deadly to willow trees. They can even be more harmful than other sources such as pollution or lack of water.

Watch for signs of fungus or affliction in your willow tree. Mushrooms and mold are very bad signs. Changes in the color, structure, or strength of the bark is another warning sign.

You can purchase Monterey Copper Fungicide for relatively inexpensive prices online and in gardening stores. To protect your tree, spray this at the first sign of fungus and consult a local arborist.

But maybe you didn’t spray it early enough in the fungus’ development. At some point, you just have to accept that your willow tree is too damaged and that it needs to go.

According to researchers at Harvard, the best thing to do with non-healthy trees is to remove them. This also prevents whatever ailment is causing their issues from spreading to other trees.

Your Willow Tree Is Leaning

The Leaning Tower of Pisa draws endless tourists, all visiting to see this wonder of the ancient world with their own eyes. 

If your tree is leaning badly enough that it’s drawing similar attention, that’s a major red flag.

A leaning tree is a sign that there is something wrong with the roots or the soil.

Perhaps, like the famous Leaning Tower, the soil in your yard is too spongy to support the weight of a large willow tree. 

More likely, the roots died and are unable to support the weight of the tree as they decompose.

Whatever the underlying cause might be, consult an arborist as soon as possible to address this issue.

One important thing to note is that sometimes people believe that their willow is leaning when it fact it is a weeping willow. Luckily, there are a few ways that you can distinguish between willows and weeping willows!

The Willow Tree Is Near Some Powerlines

Trees and power lines are not friends! When choosing where to plant a tree, find a spot as far away from overhead electrical lines as you can.

Sometimes, though, it wasn’t your choice. Maybe someone else planted the willow tree twenty years ago and did not think about the power lines. Or perhaps new developments in your area brought power lines in after the tree was already there.

The power company might prune it down for you if it is touching or hanging over the wires, but ultimately it is your responsibility to take care of the tree.

Trees cause issues with power lines in two ways. First, they can touch the wires and cause a fire or electrocution. Second, they can fall into the wires and cause a power outage.

Some people prune their trees by cutting off the top branches, giving it the appearance that a lawn mower came over the top and removed the extra upward growth. This is known as “topping”.

But besides looking ugly, topping a tree can be harmful to its overall lifespan and shorten it significantly.

If your willow tree is too close to a power line, the merciful thing to do might be to cut it down.

The Willow Is Too Close To The House And Other Buildings

Once again, sometimes lack of foresight can cause major issues down the road. 

If your willow is too close to a building, it can cause problems with the roof, plumbing, and foundation.

Willows grow faster than you might expect. They have a 30-year lifespan and can grow up to 10 feet taller every year (before eventually tapering off at a towering 50 feet).

The tree that gently shaded your front door when you planted it might eventually become a monstrosity that will drop roof-breaking limbs in a thunderstorm.

Like many other large trees, willow roots can also wreak havoc with your plumbing in their ever-present search for water.

Willow roots can grow into your underground pipes, causing blockages, plugs, or slow draining.

A plumber can clear this out with a special tool, but they will likely have to do it every year as your willow continues to grow. Not to mention that an annual drain snaking won’t prevent irreparable damage to your pipes.

On a side note, have you ever seen a piece of the sidewalk that has been pushed upward into an uneven edge due to a neighboring tree root? 

Imagine what similar roots can do to the foundation of your home. 

If you are interested, read up on some of the most common trees that damage foundations, and how they do so.

There’s no generally recommended “safe” minimum distance that you should plant a tree from your home – however you should aim for a minimum of 15ft away from where the nearest branch should be. I prefer farther away!

If your willow is causing (or even possibly causing) problems with your home, you need to heavily consider removing it.

Your Willow Interferes With Vehicle Traffic

To fully understand the effect your willow tree has on the surrounding neighborhood, you will need to drive or walk around your property as if you were an outsider.

If someone is in an intersection near your house, are they able to see oncoming traffic at any time of the day or night? Or is your willow blocking the view of everyone trying to safely make a left turn?

Does your willow cast a shadow on the ground near a stop sign, creating hidden black ice patches every winter? 

If a vehicle needed to pull onto the shoulder of the road, is there enough clearance that they could safely do so without hitting your tree?

If fire, police, or medical services had to respond to an emergency at your home, would they be able to see your house number? Or is your willow in the way?

In some areas, the Department of Transportation might decide for you and remove problem trees after informing you. But ultimately you are responsible for your property and the trees that grow on it. 

Don’t defer important decisions such as this to a government bureaucracy. 

The Willow Tree Is Interfering With The Growth Of Other Trees

Sometimes when we plant trees, we don’t consider future growth. Two small saplings might look cute right next to each other when you first plant them, but they will grow much larger even in just five years! 

If two trees are so close to one another that one interferes with the growth of the other, you need to make a choice. 

Which tree is healthier? Which is more aesthetically pleasing? Which one fits in better with the lifestyle of your family? 

These are some of the things you must consider when choosing which tree will stay.

An overcrowded plant will not grow well. Willow trees are no exception.

Why Do I Have To Cut Down My Willow Tree?

Man cutting branch tree using chainsaw. Gardener working in the garden during springtime. Petrol chainsaw in male hands

Unless your willow is interfering with public property, there aren’t any laws saying that your tree must come down. You might be wondering, “So why can’t I just let nature do its thing? Why can’t I just let my willow go in peace?”

Safety is the biggest motivator for taking down a tree.

Alone in a forest, your willow wouldn’t hurt anyone if it were to topple over or drop massive limbs. A tree in that setting is free to decompose and give back to the ecosystem in peace

On your property, a sick or damaged willow could badly injure someone. 

The Massachusetts Division of Fishery and Wildlife notes that human lives (and, by extension, the safety of our homes) will always be far more important than allowing nature to proceed without intervention.

You are responsible for keeping your property safe. Removing your willow tree when the time has come, thus preventing such accidents, is the right thing to do.

When To Cut Down Your Willow Tree (The Best Time)

If you choose to keep your tree, you will want to annually prune it. This ensures that your willow will remain healthy for years to come. 

The USDA Forest Service recommends pruning while the tree is dormant. But if you are cutting down the tree, dormancy, and growth patterns are irrelevant.

Unless you are a trained and certified arborist, leave tree removal to the professionals.

If you can wait, you should get the tree cut in the fall or early winter before bad weather sets in as this is the lesser busy time for arborists and it could lead to a reduced rate for you. If the tree presents an immediate issue, call someone ASAP!

Cutting down trees is tough work. Fully grown willow trees can easily weigh several tons. So again, leave it to the pros.

What To Do If You’re Feeling Sentimental About Your Willow

It might feel uncomfortable to cut down (or have someone else cut down) a tree. After all, didn’t we learn in school that trees help the environment and that we should grow as many of them as possible?

Rest easy knowing that it is far more ethical to protect yourself than your tree.

It can still be emotional to make the decision to hire an arborist, though, especially if your willow tree brings back sentimental memories.

Here are several ways you can make it easier to let your willow tree go.

Often, tree removal companies will give you the option to keep some of the wood from your tree. Willow wood is great for carving. You can carve a sculpture or create furniture out of your old tree!

Wicker is a material made from the thin, flexible branches of a weeping willow tree. If you’re feeling particularly crafty, you can dry the branches and create baskets and other crafts out of the wicker.

At a minimum, remember that it’s okay to grieve a loss, even if it’s a tree. 

Willow trees in particular have an almost magic component to them. The discovery of aspirin (medically known as acetylsalicylic acid) is said to have been inspired by the pain relieving properties of salicin, a chemical found in willow tree bark. What’s not to like about that?

If you find yourself missing your willow tree, you can always plant a new one! Willows are super easy to propagate with cuttings. 

References

Chalker-Scott, L. (2003). The Myth of Tree Topping. Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association B&B Newsletter. 

Mahdi, J. G. (2010). Medicinal potential of willow: A chemical perspective of aspirin discovery. Journal of Saudi Chemical Society, 14(3), 317–322.

Schizophyllum commune – the main cause of dying trees of the Banja Luka.

When deciding which tree to grow, you want to think about what might fit best in your environment. For example, if you live in the desert, you’ll want to think about trees that can grow in the desert. Which trees might grow best in a dry environment? Can trees grow in deserts?

Trees that grow in desserts generally adapt to have lower water requirements. You can expect cacti, willows, palm, and acacia trees to grow well in the desert, among others. These trees all do well in dry environments are very adaptable to droughts when needed.

Once you decide which desert-dwelling tree to incorporate into your space, you’ll want to know a bit more about maintaining the said tree. Keep reading for more information on what plants can grow in the desert, as well as why they can grow in the desert.

Desert Environments Have Plants That Can Last

All trees are adaptable to some end, but many more so than others.

It is important to find a tree that can survive in desert conditions that are:

  • Dry
  • They don’t have much shade
  • Don’t provide regular or dependable access to water
  • Prolonged high temperatures
  • High rates of soil evaporation (resulting in extra dry soil)
  • Temperature fluctuations that are extreme in either direction

Knowing also what growing zone desert climates tend to be can help significantly when you are deciding which trees to plant there. 

These desert regions in the United States range from Texas to California, between Nevada and New Mexico, including Arizona. The American Southwest and its neighbors are the regions we are going to be looking at as desert climates. 

Keep in mind that, on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones Map, you may see regions with similar coloring that signify temperature, not environment.

Some U.S. regions may have similar extreme low temperatures on average, though they are not desert climates because there is more moisture available. There also tends to be less temperature fluctuation in these environments.

Trees Survive In Desert USDA Hardiness Zones (8a-11b)

While hardiness zones vary, the average zones that can be expected in the desert are zones 8a-11b. This range signifies average extreme minimum temperatures from 10 degrees Fahrenheit to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Let’s back up a minute… average minimum what, now?

USDA hardiness zones represent the geographic areas in which plants can grow. They use the range of average minimum temperature, which is typically only seen in extreme cases, to determine the necessary hardiness of a plant.

If a plant is hardier and more adaptable to conditions like weather and temperature, it will do better in lower hardiness zones because extreme cold is more likely.

Plants that are less hardy will do better in the mid-range locations, ranging from zones 5-9, give or take.

It takes plants of a different type to do well in weather that is not extremely cold but is instead arid with less water access. These trees tend to do well in the zones that are labeled 8 and above.

That’s great, but what do the numbers and letters mean?

Good question, dear reader.

The number of hardiness zones represents a range of 10 degrees Fahrenheit, while the letters (a and b) represent halves of those zones. The a is the lower half, shown as a 5-degree range, and the b represents the higher 5 degrees of a zone. 

So, if, for example, your date palm does best in zones 8-11, you can expect this means 8a-11b. We’ll talk in more detail about this specific example later on, of course.

If you see a zone say 9b-12a, this would mean that it can do well in two partial zones and the full zones of 10 and 11.

Essentially, these categories help you determine as accurately as within 5 degrees Fahrenheit how cold a place can get on average. Then, we can determine from there which trees and plants can survive at that low temperature.

How do you determine this on a plant-by-plant basis, though?

Determining A Hardiness Zone

palm in the  desert oasi morocco sahara africa dune

If you’re wondering how you should go about determining a hardiness zone for your plant, wonder no further!

We’ll tell you the hardiness zones of each tree listed below, but we also want you to be able to figure this information out for yourself.

The hardiness of a tree is its ability to survive low winter temperatures and still thrive afterward. 

Your tree may be able to physically survive a winter that is far below the range of its hardiness. However, it may not be able to bounce back and continue growing or producing fruit, leaves, or sap in the future.

You can search keywords like “hardiness zone of ___ tree” or “USDA hardiness zones that ___ trees thrive in.” 

If you buy your tree (at any stage) from a nursery, they should also be able to provide this information to you. Local nurseries and in-person chains may be more well-suited for conversations, but if you buy online you can still often find a hardiness zone range for your plant.

Take this Perfect Plants Windmill Palm that is sold online, the site lists lots of important information including its cold hardiness, citing that zones 8-11 are best. If you know what to look for, you’ll be surprised to find that the information is readily available.

Remember, you can always refer to this USDA Hardiness Zone Map to help you determine which hardiness zone you will be planting in. 

12 Trees That Can Grow In The Desert

If you live in a desert region of the United States, such as areas of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, California, and Utah, growing trees might seem out of the question.

We are here to tell you that it’s not! There are at least 12 popular tree varieties that you can confidently grow in these areas. You can choose which types of trees you want based on the region you live in, the hardiness zone, and even the look of the plant itself.

The sky (or desert) is the limit when it comes to this list for all of you desert dwellers!

Desert Willow

Not a true willow, this genus of flowering plants does have a willow-like appearance. It is often used as a privacy screen when planted in a row of desert willows but can offer shade in the summer and help with insulation in the cold.

Hardiness Zones: 7b-11a: Adaptable to a versatile range of hardiness zones, the desert willow makes a good investment.

General Appearance: The desert willow is a small tree or shrub and often has a twisted trunk and branches. The canopy of the tree fans out beyond the trunk, but rounds into an even shape with regular, minor, pruning.

In the spring you can expect to see pink-purple flowers with yellow insides

Considerations: This tree is highly tolerant to drought and prefers full sunlight when possible, which should be easily found in the desert, making it a perfect tree for these areas.

Desert willows can be a bit messy when they drop their pods and leaves, so this is something to consider when planning your space.

Palo And Its Varieties (Verde, Blanco, Blue Palo Verde)

Palo Verde Tree Growing In Arizona

The Palo tree has many varieties. You’ve most likely heard of palo verde and palo blanco, but there are also versions like the yellow palo verde and, blue palo verde. 

The Palo verde tree comes in about 12 different species and just so happens to be the state tree of Arizona.

Beyond Arizona, the tree is often found in other deserts in the Southwest United States and in Mexico.

Hardiness Zones: 8-11: While, overall, Palo trees do well between hardiness zones 8 and 11, you’ll want to check on your specific type of Palo tree.

Palo Verdes are recommended to be placed in zones 9-11 while yellow Palo Verdes thrive in zones 9-10.

As you can see, some of these varieties are a bit more restricted than others based on where they can thrive. So don’t expect all Palo trees to grow and develop the same way in zones 8 and 11 as they would in zones 9 and 10, which are the common hardiness zones across the board.

General Appearance: Palo Verdes and other types of Palo trees most commonly appear as green trees and shrubs. Their branches are intricate and their bark smooth, often a shade of green.

They flower a bright yellow bud in the spring and drop their leaves after the rainy season.

Considerations: This tree does best when it has water to get established. Although drought-resistant, the Palo tree needs some help to start its growth process. 

As long as the soil drains well, the quality does not need to be very high.

Ocotillo Tree

Hardiness Zones: 8-11: This is an unsurprising range of hardiness zones for a desert tree, seeing as they are drawn toward warmer temperatures. As you’ve already seen, zones 8-11 are going to be common in this list.

General Appearance: This succulent is one of magnificent appearance, sporting many branches that go out to the sides from the base of the ground.

Almost bush-like in appearance, you’ll see that the ocotillo’s branches are strong, with flowers blooming at their tips. This plant will add a pop of color to your space any day!

Considerations: You’ll plant this tree in well-drained soil, keeping its roots moist during the early stages of growth. After that, feel free to water it intermittently as you would most other desert plants.

Date Palm

Hardiness Zones: 8-11: Here we are again, with zones 8-11 being the primary environment to host the date palm, this time.

General Appearance: The date palm pairs beauty with function as its fruits hang in bunches from the leaves that sit high up on the tree, above the patterned trunk that makes up the body of this palm.

Considerations: You’ll want well-drained soil (do you see another pattern?) and lots of sunlight (oh, and another!)

Essentially, this is another tolerant tree but needs to be able to get plenty of water when it flowers and produces its fruit.

Most Palm Trees

Hardiness Zones: 6b-11b: Not all palms do well in the lower hardiness zones, but some varieties may be keener than others to withstand a winter chill. You should always check first but when in doubt, remember that zones 8-11 tend to be the sweet spot for these kinds of trees.

General Appearance: Palm trees generally have leaves that stem from the very top portion of the trunk, and feather out. The leaves themselves may be shaped as fronds or in feather-like shapes, depending on the species.

Species type will determine the appearance of the trunk, as well. Some palms, like the date palm discussed above, have long and slender trunks while others are short and thick.

Considerations: Plant palm trees in soil, silt, or sand that can be easily drained but still has access to water (whether natural or human-provided.)

These trees should receive full sunlight and intermittent watering.

When buying a palm, you may have to purchase it at a juvenile stage, and transport it to where it will grow in your yard. Luckily this process is fairly common, and there are a few basic steps to help you transport palms.

Mountain Laurel

Hardiness Zones: 5-9: Here we have a range of hardiness zones that is a bit lower but makes sense as temperatures begin to drop the farther up a mountain you go. 

While these trees are still great for the desert, their mountain-dwelling tendencies allow them to deal with colder extremes while not being as well suited for the hotter temperatures.

General Appearance: This leafy green tree also blooms beautiful purple flowers and is slow-growing, which means that you’ll get to enjoy the process with this one.

Considerations: This tree does quite well with adversity and is another one that you can leave in poor soil if needed.

Do not prune this tree unless there is a disease or it is needed for any other reason.

Acacia Trees

Panoramic image of a lonely acacia tree in Savannah in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania - Safari in Africa

Hardiness Zones: 9-11 Acacia trees take us back to those higher hardiness zones, thanks to their general desert-dwelling presence.

While acacia trees have a few common places where they will grow, they are probably most prolific in the desert.

General Appearance: These trees and shrubs tend to have a slender trunk and a wide, flat canopy that stems from a few main, large branches.

Considerations: As with the others, full sunlight and well-drained soil will do the trick with an acacia tree.

Chilean Mesquite

Hardiness Zones: 8-11: Zones 8-11 are best for the Chilean Mesquite, unsurprisingly.

General Appearance: With either a single trunk or multiple thin trunks that merge, the Chilean Mesquite has a fluffy-looking canopy of spindly, thin green leaves.

Considerations: In the first year of planting, water this tree every 7-10 days. After that, you know the drill- it’s full sunlight, well-drained soil, and intermittent watering from there.

Desert Lily

Hardiness Zones: 8-11: The desert lily also does best in zones 8-11.

General Appearance: The desert lily is a flowering plant that is long and slender. It directly blooms its lilies from its stem, and appears almost cactus-like, when compared to saguaros with newly-formed little arms sticking out.

The beautiful white flowers contrast against the green base of this plant and add vibrance to the desert’s tan hues.

Considerations: Well-drained soil + full sun = a happy desert lily. Same deal as the others, but written as a fun equation for your enjoyment.

Cactus Species

Hardiness Zones: 2-11 Some cacti can do well in hardiness zones that are extremely low and, while 4 tends to be the lowest you see, hardiness zone 2 is as low as some can handle.

This is a situation where it is difficult to say which plants will do well in which zones because there are so many species of cactus.

So, when buying these plants you should always check your resources whether they be online, salespeople, or gardening mentors that can help advise you.

It’s safe to say that cacti come in quite the range.

General Appearance: Often, cacti are green plants with tough skins and needles that permeate the surface. Sometimes there will be flowers, sometimes not. These plants may be seen as low-to-the-ground spheres or tall, thin poles with arms extending from the sides.

Considerations: Make sure your cactus has enough light, these desert-dwellers need the sun to survive.

You should plan long breaks in between the watering of your cactus but when you do water, make sure it will last your plant for the duration of that next break.

Try not to touch the needles (pro-tip, we know!)

Saguaro 

Hardiness Zones: 8a-11b This, as a specific type of cactus, is a bit more easily qualified. Saguaros need to be in warmer zones, much like many of our other desert hardy plants.

General Appearance: Speaking of the tall, thin poles with arms extending from the sides, saguaros are a cactus, too, but deserve their category.

Considerations: Unlike other cacti, this one needs low levels of water on the same infrequent basis.

The soil you plant a saguaro in should be well-drained and allowed to fully dry in between watering sessions.

Fertilization is a big help in allowing this tree to grow to its potential, infamous, height, and age (read: tall and quite old!)

Desert Sage

High desert sagebrush and creosote bushes through a trail. Taken in Miners Delight Wyoming

Hardiness Zones: 5-9 Desert sage, similar to the mountain laurel, does well in the lower-midrange of hardiness zones, making this one a versatile desert plant.

General Appearance: Desert sage is a shrub with a green, sage-colored, base and light to dark purple flowers that span the plant.

Considerations: An infertile soil is a great home to desert sage, as long as it drains well and fast, as with our other plants on this list.

How Do Trees Grow In The Desert? 

The biggest thing about this question is to understand that trees must be drought resistant to survive in the desert.

All the trees listed above can survive in the desert because they are adaptable and can survive without much water.

According to Arizona State University’s Ask A Biologist feature, plants with adaptations to survive the desert dryness are called xerophytes and succulents.

These plants will adapt to need less water, to store water more long-term, or may even combine these two adaptations to get a leg up in the desert. Some plants even grow roots that can be over 100 feet deep to access water stores far beyond the surface.

We had a bit of a variety of hardiness zones listed above, but you may have gathered that zones 8-11 were a very popular range of minimum temperatures for these plants. This is because desert plants that do well in dryness often also prefer the warmer temperatures associated with this type of environment.

While these trees are all uniquely adapted in different ways, their common denominator is that they can thrive in desert climates. 

How do you help a tree that has already adapted to live in such harsh, dry conditions?

Maintaining Your Desert Trees

Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) along Boy Scout Trail in Joshua Tree National Park, California

Once you’ve chosen and planted your tree that grows well in the desert, the final, and most long-term, step is going to be maintenance. 

So, how do you best care for your tree over time to ensure that it lives a long and healthy life?

There are two things to consider, primarily, for desert plants:

  • Water
  • Fertilization

How To Water Desert Trees

Infrequent watering is best for desert plants, despite all of our urges based on watering practices in regions with more moisture. 

To most closely mimic the natural watering cycle in the desert, you should only water your desert trees and plants intermittently.

Often, you’ll also want to allow the soil to dry out completely in between waterings to follow that natural cycle.

Drip irrigation systems like this Flantor Garden Irrigation System are going to be your best bet because they help you time and distribute water accurately.

Desert Trees’ Fertilizer Needs

In the desert, the element most commonly needed by plants is nitrogen. So, opting for a nitrogen-heavy or all nitrogen fertilizer is the way to go.

Not only will you be sustaining your desert tree, but you can confidently know that you are giving it what it needs most to thrive in the desert landscape.

Trees use nitrogen to help produce chlorophyll, protein, structural tissues, and other enzymes necessary to the success and life force itself of a tree. So, what better addition when looking for fertilizer than nitrogen?

Especially if you are looking for a way to quickly bolster your tree growth, nitrogen will give you profound effects that other nutrients may not be able to provide for your tree. 

The PetraTools Liquid Nitrogen Fertilizer is a great product that should last you a while, saving you some money while sustaining your tree.

Wrapping Up

While we’ve talked all about the trees that can do well in the desert, it seems that we’ve used up our store of information for this article. 

Remember, when looking for a tree that can grow in the desert, there are a few factors you can’t beat:

  • Deep roots to soak up deep water reserves
  • Thick leaves or stems to retain water
  • Overall succulent 
  • Drought resistant thanks to the above characteristics

Once you’ve planted your desert-friendly tree, whatever type it may be, make sure to maintain and sustain it so that you can enjoy its presence for years to come!

Focus on intermittent watering patterns, nitrogen-based fertilization, and general maintenance practices such as monitoring the appearance of your tree.

For now, we thank you for joining us as you continue along your tree journey. It is certainly a process, and we’re glad you trust us to help you along the way.

See you next time!

References

El-Lakany, M. H. (1983). A review of breeding drought-resistant Casuarina for shelterbelt establishment in arid regions with special reference to Egypt. Forest Ecology and Management6(2), 129-137.

Hanscom III, Z., & Ting, I. P. (1978). Responses of succulents to plant water stress. Plant physiology61(3), 327-330.

Isaifan, R. J., & Baldauf, R. W. (2020). Estimating economic and environmental benefits of urban trees in desert regions. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution8, 16.

Snakes are a normal part of our ecosystem. If you have trees on your property, you are more than likely to see them now and then. Not everyone wants snakes slipping and sliding through their yard though.

Willow trees are an ideal shelter for snakes due to the cover they offer and proximity to a water source. You can prevent snakes near your willow tree denying their food source, removing areas of cover near the tree, and by housing guinea hens near your willow tree, which are predators of snakes.

Luckily, keeping snakes away from willow trees can be an easy process. Keep reading on below to learn about why keeping snakes away from your willow tree is a good idea and how to do it!

Why You Should Keep Snakes Away From Your Willow

Most snakes are harmless and scared of humans, but that does not mean you want them on your land. Many can coexist with snakes, but there are reasons you just can’t!

In general, you should keep snakes away from your willow tree if you:

  • Are afraid of snakes
  • Have venomous snakes
  • Have livestock such as chickens
  • Aren’t able to utilize your willow tree

For the first one, if you’re just plain ol’ afraid of snakes, then keep them away from your willow tree! Simple as that.

Venomous snakes are important to the ecosystem, but you should be wary of keeping them close to your home. If you find a snake near you, ALWAYS do some preliminary research based off the look of the snake to reasonably deduct what species it may be. Overall of course, this is a good reason to deter snakes. 

If you notice a venomous or suspicious snake, contact a professional for identification and removal.

If you keep livestock, having snakes around can be detrimental to your animals. Snakes eat eggs, chicks, and even full-grown birds.

Lastly, having snakes around your willow tree can make it difficult to enjoy your tree. Many love sitting under the tree and enjoying the shade and beauty it provides. Naturally, being afraid of snakes in the area can make it impossible to enjoy your landscape.

Signs That Snakes Are In Your Yard & Near Your Willow

Snake hole at soil field around green forest area, wildlife nature presentation.

There are a few easy ways to tell if you have snakes. One obvious way to know is if you find snake sheds. According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, snakes shed their skins between 4 and 12 times a year.

You can tell the size of a snake by the length of the shed. This can help you determine the type of snake you may have. 

Additionally, you may see snake droppings or even tracks in the sand or dirt. 

The droppings look a lot like bird droppings and can vary in size. The tracks in sand are lines. Snakes use their scales and muscles to help move. 

Holes can also be a sign of snakes as well as a sign of mice or rats. These are food for snakes, so you may have a rodent problem as well. 

If you’re suspecting you may have a venomous snake in your yard, check out this article by the CDC which lists the common types of venomous snakes in the US.

How To Keep Snakes Away From Your Willow Tree

The first step to figuring out why snakes are near your willow tree is to find out what they are eating. This could be rats, toads, or even insects, depending on the species of snake. It is important to figure out their food source to eliminate them.

Most snakes will not come to your home without a reason. If you find that you have a rodent problem, immediately deal with the infestation to help deter snakes from staying.

You can do this with humane traps, or by eliminating the food sources which the rodents are after. So do not leave pet food or any other types of food in areas they can get to. 

Remove any potential hiding spots for the snakes. This includes clutter, excessive branches, and piles of leaves. If snakes have a place to hide, they are more likely to stay around your willow tree.

Snake-proof your home and yard by patching up any holes and adding snake-proof fencing. If you have animals such as chickens, snake-proof their pens so the snakes cannot get in for an easy meal.

Snakes will often eat chicken eggs or chicks if given the opportunity and some larger snakes can eat adult chickens.

If you have these livestock near your willow tree, moving them to another area of your property will help to keep snakes away.

If you believe you have a problem snake, contact a local pest control specialist in your area to help remove the snake. Alternatively, you could also buy a snake trap with the help of a professional.

Avoid using glue boards as you can accidentally harm other animals instead of the ones you are targeting.

Using Scents To Repel Snakes From Willow Trees

Willow tree by the Pond with the mirroring on the surface

Some strong scents can keep snakes away. Scents such as clove, cinnamon, and eugenol work wonders at deterring snakes from making your willow tree their home. 

Clove oil is a potent smell and can be useful in many pest applications. APHIS has noted that the use of these oils can help deter snakes. You can use these scents directly on the snakes and their environment as well. 

APHIS suggests two ways to use these oils: as an aerosol spray or as a fumigant. They make note of the Environmental Protection Agency determining that it is under an exemption from the EPA, meaning it is not regulated for use as a repellent. 

APHIS gives an aerosol spray recipe. They say to use one percent of the oil, one percent sodium lauryl sulfate, and ninety-eight percent water. This spray is to be used directly on the snakes and will not work on surfaces to prevent snakes.

While you may not be fond of spraying these directly on a snake near your willow tree, you can look into a repellent like Bonide’s Stopper 8751 Snake Repellent, which contains both cinnamon and clove oil, to spray near your willow tree.

While there isn’t scientific evidence backing the product, there are countless anecdotal reviews stating it’s effectiveness.

Using Plants To Keep Snakes Away From Your Willow Tree

While many of the plants that make claims to repel snakes are ineffective, other plants, such as roses, cacti, and other thorny plants, may work. Snakes cannot crawl through these plants, so growing them in landscaped areas around where snakes might live would work. 

Plants such as mint help deter mice and rats. Deterring mice or rats can help eliminate the snakes around your yard. As we have discussed before, rats and mice can attract snakes to your property. 

Planting plants that will deter the food sources of snakes is important to help keep away the snakes that prey upon them.

Guinea Hens: The Ultimate Snake Control For Your Willow Tree

A group of guinea fowl and chicken feeding outdoor

Consider purchasing Guineas to help with your snake problem. Guineas are a type of fowl known for their ruthless behavior. They will hunt a snake down and quickly dispose of it!

Guineas are an excellent resource for repelling snakes. These birds are fast and loud and often chase snakes. They are often known as watchdogs since they alert to any trespassers. Be careful, as they can be aggressive, roam miles, and can be very annoying. 

The downside of guineas is how loud they are. So if you have neighbors, this might not be the solution for you. 

They are easy to care for and often take care of themselves. Provide water, shelter, and some food and you should have a wonderful edition to your property and willow tree.

Even better, guinea hens eat ticks as well and can keep your property tick and snake-free!

Natural Methods To Deter Snakes From Your Willow

Japanese Rat Snake in the Garden

Some natural remedies to get rid of snakes are smells that would deter them, natural predators, and making the area unpleasant for the snake. 

Using powerful scents like cedar can help deter snakes from living around you. Another way is by making the area unpleasant. Change up your landscape, throw smoke bombs in their holes, and be active in your yard.

Cedar is also bad for their respiratory system and the respiratory system of most animals, so be mindful of your own animals. However, it could potentially keep snakes away from your willow (along with other animals in the process.)

Will Mothballs Repel Snakes?

A common myth is that mothballs will keep snakes away. This is untrue and bad for the environment. Mothballs can be harmful to living creatures as well. If an animal consumes them, they may die. 

The smell does not deter snakes, and it is also illegal to use mothballs in this way, as it’s intended purpose is for moths. So, use mothballs for their intended use only to prevent any damage.

Properly use mothballs in airtight containers inside places moths go like closets. 

Reasons Snakes Are Good For Your Willow Tree

Snakes are an important part of the ecosystem and without them, there is an imbalance in the food chain. Snakes eat pests such as mice and rats, and without them, these pests will overpopulate. 

Mice and rats can carry and transmit diseases to humans. Snakes eating them helps prevent the transfer of zoonotic diseases to people. This is essential to help maintain public health. 

If a snake is making the area under your willow tree its home, ask yourself why. If you have a willow tree planted along the water, the snake could be looking for fish to eat or water to drink.

Non-venomous snakes are important to keep around since they eat many pests like mice and rats and become food for other animals like large birds of prey. Snakes help with biodiversity and are sadly in decline with many endangered species. This is due to their habitat decline and other critical environmental issues.

Biodiversity is important for a healthy ecosystem. When the balance gets thrown off, it can cause major issues. Burmese Pythons in the Everglades in Florida, for example, always have to be removed from non-native environments.

These snakes took over and eat almost everything in their wake. This has caused an imbalance in the Everglades. If snakes are permanently removed from their native environments, this can cause a similar issue to the Everglades. 

Some harmless species of snakes include:

  • Rat Snake
  • Garter Snake
  • Hognose Snakes

As the name suggests, rat snakes eat rats. They get to be around four to six feet long and are not venomous. Additionally, they are native to North America and make their homes in forests and grass.

Garter snakes eat a vast diet of anything they can get their jaws on. This includes pests like leeches, rats, and spiders. They are not venomous and get to be around three feet long. 

Hognose snakes love to eat toads. They are not venomous and play dead when threatened. They live in sandy areas and stay fairly small. 

Overall, most garden snakes are harmless to just let live. There are, however, reasons to deter them.

That’s All For Now!

Snakes can be a scary visitor to your yard, and naturally, unpleasant to see.

Many claims are floating around on various natural remedies and easy remedies to repel snakes. Mothballs are a commonly mentioned remedy, however, this is not only wrong but usually illegal to use.

Preventing snakes is the best way to repel them. Snake proof your yard and keep organized and picked up. If the snakes have nowhere to live, they are less likely to stay. Clean up anywhere snakes can hide.

Consider learning to live with non-venomous snakes. These are important members of the ecosystem, and allowing them a place to live can benefit you.

Overall, snakes are pretty easy to keep away from your willow tree if you follow these simple tips!

References 

“APHIS Wildlife Services Snake Repellent.” USDA, 2003, www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nwrc/publications/Tech_Notes/TN_SnakeRepellents.pdf.

“Snakes in and around the House.” Npic.orst.edu, 2020, npic.orst.edu/pest/snake.html. Accessed 15 Nov. 2021.

“USDA APHIS | Vertebrate Control Products.” Usda.gov, 2013, www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/wildlifedamage/programs/nwrc/product-registration-unit/CT_Control_products#:~:text=%20Vertebrate%20Control%20Products%20%201%20REPRODUCTIVE%20CONTROL.. Accessed 15 Nov. 2021.

Lightning stuns us into silence. It is a powerful force of nature that can have different effects on the environment. It can provide nitrogen for the soil, and it can shatter trees into splintery pieces. So, which trees are most likely to get struck by lightning?

In truth, tall trees like pine and oak trees are at the most risk of getting struck by lightning due to their impressive height. High-water content trees like ash trees and willow trees are very water absorbent and, thus, more apt to conduct and attract lightning strikes.

Today, we will be talking about lightning and the probability of your trees being struck by lightning. It is essential to understand lightning, how it affects your trees when hit, and how to prevent damage so that you can give your tree the best chance for survival.

Factors That Affect The Chances of a Strike

Lightning does not simply strike the tallest object in the area. Taller objects have a higher chance of being struck than shorter objects. However, it is a lot more complicated than that.

According to a report by the National Fire Protection Association that expanded over four years, U.S. firefighters responded to 22,000 fires that had started due to lightning. In addition, wildfires in federal and state wildlands accounted for over 9,000 lightning-caused fires.

The chance of a lightning strike depends on the striking density of your area and the height of the objects there. The likelihood of an object being hit depends on its size, shape, and isolation.

There is a myth that seeking shelter under a tree during a thunderstorm keeps you safe. This is absolutely false. Trees are especially susceptible to lightning strikes, and being near one during a thunderstorm is extremely dangerous.

The only way to determine in which area lightning will strike is to look at the thunderstorm overhead. Lighting will strike anywhere from underneath the storm to three miles out from it.

Besides that, strike density and the characteristics of the objects within that strike zone are the only ways to estimate where lightning will hit.

What is Strike Density?

Storm in the forest at summer day

Strike density is the number of lightning strikes within a given period within a square area of land. This is how scientists determine the probability of lightning hitting particular objects.

When it comes to trees, experts have discovered that trees are hit more or less according to the strike density zone that they are in.

A study by the University of Georgia found that a lightning density of about 18 ground strikes per square mile per year had little difference in tree risk—or risk of being struck by lightning based on tree height. When the strike density lowers, the size of the tree becomes a more significant factor in the likelihood of a strike on it.

However, evidence has proven that regardless of the lightning strike zone and the height of objects around the trees, certain trees are still more likely to be hit by others.

How Does Lighting Affect Trees?

Trees are especially vulnerable to lightning because they tend to be very tall (go figure.) They contain the necessary moisture and sap to conduct electricity better than they would through the air.

Lightning will always take the path of least resistance, and in many cases, that happens to be a tree.

charred tree trunk burned by lightning, bottom-up view

Naturally, we imagine our trees lighting on fire, shattering their branches, or crashing onto our houses when lightning strikes them. But lightning can be damaging our trees underground as well.

When lightning strikes a tree, the electricity travels from the trunk to the root system. This can cause irreparable damage to the tree that may not even be seen aboveground.

If this happens, a tree usually has a 50% chance of restoring its root system and regrowing leaves the following year.

Next, you’ll be wondering which trees have the highest risk of being struck by lightning. Below is a list of those trees from the lowest risk of the group to the highest.

Which Trees Are Most Susceptible to Lightning?

While not made of pure metal, 5 species of trees are susceptible to lightning. Most likely, if you live in a city or suburban area, you probably haven’t seen lightning strike a tree.

But, it happens in nature all the time!

Pine Trees Attract Lightning Due to Their Height

There are approximately 111 species of pine trees worldwide, although the number varies by scientists. Pines are drier than other trees because they live in arid climates, but they are very hardy. They are found only in the northern hemisphere.

Lightning is attracted to pines because they are characteristically very tall. However, pines are not very strong against lightning strikes and will only survive part of the time when struck. Pines have a very high resin content in their wood, which means it conducts electricity better.

Because of this, pines are more likely to explode and be irreparably damaged from lightning strikes… yikes!

Ash Tree Moisture Level Attracts Lightning Strikes

Ash trees are deciduous and can be found in Asia, North America, and Europe. Most of the species are short, but the lumber-producing ones can grow very tall, up to 120 feet. There are approximately 65 different species of ash in the world.

However, ash trees are vulnerable to lightning strikes. Often, ash trees near water will have a higher level of moisture in their root system, which means more severe damage in the case of a lightning strike.

These trees are unique because they are beneficial to both land and water environments. They help to maintain riverbanks and provide shelter for a variety of animals. Since they absorb lightning strikes – they can help conduct electricity away from other vulnerable objects!

Willow Tree Moisture & Root System Attract Lightning

Willows are gorgeous and stately trees that originated in China but have grown throughout the northern hemisphere.

Some types of willows reach heights of 70 feet tall! It’s no wonder that they are more susceptible to lightning than other trees. Combined with a higher water level than most trees, willows are frequently struck.

Another characteristic of the willow tree is the extensive and invasive root system. Willows are notorious for entangling sewer lines and destroying sidewalks. Combined with their high water retention, willow trees are excellent conductors for electricity and are prone to lightning strikes.

When struck, willows can experience devastating trauma to the root system that makes them unlikely to recover.

Luckily, root damage doesn’t always happen when a tree is struck. Most of the time, it will only injure the immediate area that is hit.

Poplar Tree Height Attract Lightning

The poplar tree is native to most of the northern hemisphere but thrives in warmer weather. They can be a pain to homeowners because they clog drains and damage septic systems.

However, they are beautiful additions to yards, as long as they are planted in the right place.

Poplars have an extremely short lifespan and will only live to about fifty years.

Despite their brief lives, poplars grow very, very tall, reaching heights up to 165 feet. This makes them prime candidates for a lightning strike. While they don’t retain water like willow or ash trees, poplar trees will usually be closer to the sky than any other tree.

The tulip poplar, for example, will often rise above the tree canopy of a forest and stand alone as the tallest object in the area.

They are very vulnerable to lightning!

Oak Trees Are Susceptible to Lightning Strikes

Oak is commonly known as the tree that is most likely to be struck by lightning! This partly has to do with the fact that oaks are notoriously taller than other types of trees.

A mature oak tree can grow to reach 148 feet!

Oaks first appeared on the planet 65 million years ago, and they can grow to be over 1,000 years old. They are very strong, and their lumber is used for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, they are decreasing in number due to deforestation.

Read more about oaks in our article Amazing Ways Oak Trees Help the Environment!

Besides their obvious height advantage over other trees, oaks are struck by lightning more than other trees because their moisture content is higher. According to research from the Iowa State University Library, Oak tees were twice as likely to get struck by lightning than popular, the next most lightning-prone tree.

The combination of height and moisture makes the oak tree likely to be struck by lightning when given the proper situation.

Refer to our other article: The Ways Oak Trees Cause Damage and How to Prevent Them, for some advice on what to do if your oak tree is hit by lightning!

3 Common Myths About Lightning And Trees

There are a few myths that are associated with lightning that should be dispelled for your safety!

Myth #1: Standing Underneath a Tree is The Safest Place to be During a Thunderstorm

Fact: This is false. Trees are struck by lightning very often because they are tall and have high moisture content. The electricity will travel through the tree into the ground.

Myth #2: Lightning Only Strikes an Object Once Per Storm

Fact: This is untrue! Your tree could be struck multiple times during a storm. Once a tree is struck, it will most likely break and may not be as good of a lightning receptor as before. However, it can still get struck again.

Myth #3: When Lightning Strikes Trees, it Only Affects The Tree

Fact: When lightning strikes a tree, the electricity moves through the trunk and into its root system. Objects touching the roots like metal pipes can be damaged. There can also be a side flash, which is when electricity jumps from one object to another.

Are There Any Trees Less Susceptible to Being Struck?

Yes, there are! Some trees are shorter and have a lower moisture content, which makes them less likely to be struck. This does not, however, completely eliminate the chance of them being hit.

One characteristic of trees that determines their efficiency of electricity conduction is their oil content. The higher the level of oil, the less effective the tree is at conducting electricity. For that reason, beech and birch trees have some of the smallest chances of being struck by lightning.

They are typically very short and have a higher oil content than the trees that surround them in their native habitat.

If you have a birch or beech tree on your property, then you now know they have a less likely chance of being struck by lightning, but remember that it can always happen anytime there is a thunderstorm. Lightning will strike anything which can connect it to the ground, which all trees can.

What Can You Do to Protect Your Trees From Lightning?

Burnt black crooked big old oak tree leftover hit by lightning and destroyed by fire in meadow near pine forest. Power of elements of nature.

If you live in an area with a high strike density, it would be very beneficial to protect your trees from lightning damage! The Agrilife Extension of Texas A&M University suggests installing a lightning protection system on trees that are vulnerable on your property.

A lightning protection system contains a series of copper wires and ground rods that redirects the path of electricity from the air into the ground instead of hitting the tree. They are extremely effective at protecting your tree from lightning damage.

Lightning protection systems are also beneficial as protection to neighboring structures. You should install these systems on trees near your house because it reduces the chance of a “side flash.”

A side flash is when lightning strikes a taller object, and then residual electricity jumps to a nearby object. This can be very dangerous. This is why it is important to stay away from trees during a thunderstorm.

It is extremely important to protect your most valuable trees. While it won’t be cost-effective to protect every single tree on your property (that could be exorbitant on a wooded property), protecting the trees with the most historical significance is a better option.

This means determining the oldest, largest, and most established trees on your property before choosing how many trees to protect.

Make sure to contact a professional arborist to properly install and maintain protection systems for your trees.

What Do I Do if My Tree Has Been Struck?

When a tree is struck by lightning, a number of things can happen.

First, the water in the cells is heated to boiling, causing steam to emit from the bark. This, in turn, can cause the bark to explode, sometimes penetrating deep into the tree and causing irreparable damage.

If your tree is struck by lightning and catches fire, call 911 immediately.

Even if your tree doesn’t catch fire, the damage can be fatal to your tree. The extent of the damage is largely dependent on the level of water in your tree and where that water is located. Trees with moisture deep under the bark will be more likely to explode when struck by lightning.

The first thing you should do when your tree is hit by lightning is to prune the branches that have been hit and remove any bark that is hanging off the tree’s trunk. You should then begin fertilizing the tree and making sure it has sufficient water.

Check out our guide on the best fertilizers for your oak tree here.

This is when you have to wait. Give your tree 2-6 months to check for signs of severe damage or stress. Usually, trees are very hardy and can repair themselves. It is only after a few months that you can see the extent of the damage.

Unfortunately, the electric shock may not be the thing that kills your tree. Sometimes the damage from the lightning exposes your tree’s inner layers to the elements. This leaves it vulnerable to the surrounding environment, disease, and pests.

Wrapping Up!

The forces of nature are nothing to joke about. Lightning is extremely dangerous, and you should take every precaution to protect yourself from it.

Luckily, you can protect your trees as well. Contacting your local arborist and discussing a lightning protection system for your trees is the best option. They will help you decide which trees to protect and how to tend to ones that have been hit.

After reading this article, you should be well-versed on how lightning affects our trees, which trees are most likely to be struck, and how to protect our trees from lightning damage. If you live in an area with a lot of thunderstorms, consider giving your most precious trees the ultimate protection!

References

Ahrens, Marty. “Lightning Fires and Lightning Strikes.” National Fire Protection Agency, NFPA, June 2013, https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Data-research-and-tools/US-Fire-Problem/Lightning-Fires-and-Lightning-Strikes.

Gora, Evan M., et al. “A Mechanistic and Empirically Supported Lightning Risk Model for Forest Trees.” Besjournals, British Ecological Society, 20 May 2020.

Clatterbuck, Wayne, et al. “Understanding Lightning & Associated Tree Damage.” Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, Texas A&M University, 2020, https://agrilife.org/treecarekit/after-the-storm/understanding-lightning-associated-tree-damage.

The gorgeous, delicate structure of willows may take you back to simpler times. All willows have a timeless quality about them. Willows grow in most places and tolerate numerous zones; you may even have one in your neighborhood and not know it!

All weeping willows are willows, but not all willows are weeping. The weeping willow has a delicate weeping growth pattern and is the classic shape you think of when you think of a willow tree. However, not all willows look the same, but they all are mighty beautiful!

Willow trees are native to Asia but are widely found throughout North America. We’ve got a list of differences between these classic trees. We’ll cover all types of willows, including the weeping willow, so keep reading!

History Of Willow Trees 

If you’ve ever seen a willow tree in real life or in a movie, you probably think of them near water. Maybe on the banks of rivers, near streams, or on the outskirts of ponds or lakes. Willow trees do incredibly well in wet soils, which makes it easy to understand why we see them near water.

The weeping willow, Salix babylonica, was given the Latin name babylonica after scientist Carl Linnaeus believed this tree to be the willow of Babylon. 

What he failed to recognize was that this willow had most likely been brought from China and spread into Asia and Europe. He believed this tree to be the tree in the Bible that grew along the Euphrates River in Babylon; however, it was believed that tree was probably a different species.

There are over 400 willow tree species in their genus, Salix, including both willow trees and shrubs. Willow species are water-loving plants and do remarkably well in wet and boggy soil conditions.

They are native to the Northern Hemisphere, where conditions are temperate and relatively cool, but it should be noted that willows should be planted in Zones 4-10.

The willow tree symbolizes many different things to traditions and peoples. For some, the willow tree is representative of perpetual nourishment due to its nature of always being near a body of water.

The willow tree is also representative of balance, strength, stability, and hope.

Differences Between A Willow Tree And A Weeping Willow Tree

All weeping willows are willows, but not all willows are weeping. If you want to know what I mean by that, keep on reading! We’ve got lots of interesting information on willow trees that will answer all of your willow tree questions!

Weeping willows are part of the genus Salix. Meaning that it is a willow tree; it just happens to be a well-known species with incredible characteristics. Notably, its weeping form!

To recap, here are some differences and similarities between willow trees and weeping willow trees:

  • There are over 400 species of willow trees in the Salix genus.
  • Weeping willows are a subspecies of willow trees, Salix babylonica.
  • There are weeping, vertical, upright, and shrub growth willows, all of which look according to their name.
  • Both willow trees and weeping willows grow 30-60 feet tall.
  • Willow trees generally have a spread of 30-40 feet.
  • All willow tree species love wet, boggy soil and are typically found near water bodies along banks.
  • Willow trees do not like dry soils and will not do well if grown in them.
  • Willow trees have an intense interlacing grid of roots, allowing them to maintain their grip in wet soils, helping to prevent erosion.
  • A weeping willows root system is extremely shallow and can easily spread as wide as tall as the willow tree height.
  • Most willows tolerate most soils, black walnut trees, and deer.
  • All willow trees have very fragile wood and can easily break and split.
  • Willows grow in all soil types, acidic, alkaline, loamy, sandy, and clayey.
  • They are water-intensive and grow best in full sun.
  • Most willows have fuzzy, adorable catkins.
  • Weeping willows can still grow in light shade, while most willow trees need full sunlight.

Willow species love wet, boggy soil and have lanced-shaped leaves, which have the shape of a spearhead and have fragile wood. Additionally, willows have an intense interlacing grid of roots, allowing them to maintain their grip in wet soils.

The difference between the willow tree and a weeping willow is that they grow in all soil types, acidic, alkaline, loamy, sandy, and clayey. Depending on the type of willow, that will determine the type of soil it can grow in best.

Weeping willows also require a large amount of space since they grow anywhere from 30-60 feet tall. They also have an insane-sized root system that extends out at least 30 feet, interlocking, and interweaving, creating a dense mass of shallow roots.

However, it should be noted that all root systems of willow trees are invasive, shallow, and spread. 

All willows are also extremely water-intensive, so if you have a willow or plan on growing one, it is advised to plant one near a water source or near an area with irrigation.

7 Common Willow Tree Species And Where They Grow

Now that we know a bit about the main difference between willow trees and

Corkscrew/Dragon’s Claw Willow, Salix matsudana’ Tortuosa’

The corkscrew willow is an incredible-looking tree with twisted branching with a gnarled and beautiful form. The corkscrew willow offers year-round interest with its unbelievable twisting shape of branches.

As if this tree wasn’t already cool enough, the foliage on the corkscrew willow is curled. And it has a broad and rounded crown that falls downward. This tree grows 20-30 feet tall and equally as wide.

This species is native to China and Korea and generally grows in Zone 4. This willow has such incredible characteristics that it typically sells out at garden stores each year! The branches of this tree are harvested and used in the floral industry for added interest in floral arrangements.

Dappled Or Nishiki Willow, Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’

Close up of Hakuro Nishiki willow in garden against the sea.
Close up of Hakuro Nishiki willow in garden against the sea.

The dappled or Nishiki willow is grown as either a shrub or tree. It has beautiful variegated pink, white and green leaves, turning white as winter approaches. 

The Nishiki willow grows in Zones 5-7 but is native to Russia, Japan, Korea, and northern China. It also tolerates full sun to part shade, erosion, wet soil, and even black walnut trees!

The stems and branches of the dappled willow turn a reddish coral color in winter, and throughout spring and summer, has vibrant and striking variegated foliage.

Pussy Willow, Salix discolor

Pussy willow branches with blue sky background, Soft floral spring frame with very shallow dof
Pussy willow (Salix discolor) branches.

The pussy willow is native to North America and grows best in Zones 4-8. It is tolerant of deer, erosion, wet soil, and black walnuts as well.

Although it prefers full sun, it also thrives in part shade. Additionally, pussy willow grows in a variety of soils, including some drier soils, but it is not tolerant of dry soils. It is generally seen growing along swamps, lakes, and streams. They produce fuzzy catkins that resemble a cat’s paw.

Because of the pussy willow’s unique standout catkins, it is used frequently in the floral industry. It can also be grown in the form of a shrub or tree and can be used as a privacy or screening shrub. They will give you something to look at no matter what season and provide you with a calming scene.

Weeping Willow, Salix babylonica

Babylon willow (salix babylonica) in a public park
Babylon willow (weeping willow) in the park.

The weeping willows are an incredibly delicate weeping tree that is native to northern China. It grows best in Zones 6-8 and thrives in wet soil. It grows from 30-60 feet tall and wide. The weeping willow can also grow 8-10 feet per year!

Like the other willows we mentioned, the weeping willow is also deer and black walnut tolerant. It is seen growing along the banks of water bodies and does not do well in dry soil. However, like most of the willows, their wood is very fragile and can break easily in storms, generally in their crutches.

If you want your landscape to look like a painting, the weeping willow will do this! It moves with the wind and brings a romantic and timeless feel to wherever it grows.

Downy Willow, Salix lapponum

This willow is native to Northern Europe and Asia, lapponum means, of Lapland, which is northern Scandinavia. It naturally grows in alpine regions, like Scandinavia, within the Arctic circle. 

The downy willow grows best in sandy and rocky soils, in Zones 3-7. It is deer tolerant and can grow near black walnut trees. Furthermore, it can tolerate most well-draining soils, including poor soil conditions. It grows 3-5 feet high and wide and possesses silver catkins in spring.

White Willow, Salix alba

Springtime with <a href=
Springtime with small flowering White willow / Salix alba tree.

White willows are native to Europe, Asia, and the northern parts of Africa. It did not arrive in the United States until the early 1700s, and since then, it has spread throughout. 

White willow is a fast-growing species, which grows a remarkable 50-80 feet tall! Due to its weak wood, it is not usually used as a landscape tree in residential areas and is not really sold anymore.

The white willow tolerates erosion, clayey soil, black walnuts, and deer. It grows easily in Zones 2-8. Similar to other willows, it needs moist to wet soil, and although it prefers full sun, it tolerates part shade.

Wisconsin Weeping Willow, Salix x pendulina

The Wisconsin weeping willow is a hybrid willow that is crossed with Salix babylonica, the weeping willow, and Salix fragilis, the crack willow, or Salix euxina, the eastern crack willow

Most weeping willows found in the United States are commonly this species, rather than strictly Salix babylonica. It grows in Zone 4 and grows 30-50 feet tall and wide. It has fuzzy but non-remarkable catkins in the spring.

Although not all willows are practical for residential use, most can be, especially the bush form willows, such as the Nishiki willow, the downy willow, the pussy willow, the dragon’s claw willow, and the Wisconsin weeping willow!

Where Do Weeping Willow Trees Grow Best?

Willow trees grow in the majority of Zones. As we mentioned, weeping willows grow best in Zones 6-8, while other willow species can grow well in Zones 4-10. We’ll cover some Salix species so you can decide which one is best for you!

What Is Special About Willow Trees?

Willow trees are recognized as many different things to traditions and peoples. The willow tree is found in the Bible, in Native American cultures, and is significant in other cultures and in other religions.

The willow tree symbolizes perpetual nourishment to some. Willow trees are water-obsessed, and there is no such thing as too much water for them. Because they are commonly found near bodies of water, they provide a sense of everlasting sustenance.

Moreover, the willow tree can also be representative of balance, strength, stability, wisdom, and hope.

That’s a Wrap!

That’s all we have on the differences between weeping willows and willow trees. Most willows tolerate similar conditions, such as soil, water requirements, and sun requirements.

Moreover, they tolerate a wide range of climates that range from the southern United States to the Arctic circle of Scandinavia.

Willow trees are a beautiful addition to your landscape and can be found worldwide. The weeping willow has a delicate and intricate falling growth pattern and provides a sense of classic timelessness. The willow tree, for some cultures, provides a sense of everlasting sustenance, but for others, it is representative of balance, strength, stability, wisdom, and hope. 

References:

Mleczek, Mirosław, et al. “Biomass productivity and phytoremediation potential of Salix alba and Salix viminalis.” Biomass and bioenergy 34.9 (2010): 1410-1418.

Palo, R. Thomas. “Distribution of birch (Betula spp.), willow (Salix spp.), and poplar (Populus spp.) secondary metabolites and their potential role as chemical defense against herbivores.” Journal of chemical ecology 10.3 (1984): 499-520.

Rosso, Laura, et al. “Selection and testing of Populus alba and Salix spp. as bioenergy feedstock: preliminary results.” Applied energy 102 (2013): 87-92.

Smart, Lawrence B., and Kimberly D. Cameron. “Genetic improvement of willow (Salix spp.) as a dedicated bioenergy crop.” Genetic improvement of bioenergy crops. Springer, New York, NY, 2008. 377-396.

Yu, Xiao-Zhang, and Ji-Dong Gu. “Differences in uptake and translocation of selenate and selenite by the weeping willow and hybrid willow.” Environmental Science and Pollution Research 15.6 (2008): 499-508.

Chances are, you do not enjoy raking your yard (who does?) So when planning your landscaping, research trees that produce a lower mess. Trees that produce less mess are important for you as you will not be raking, cleaning pollen off your car, or cleaning your gutters often.

In truth, the dirtiest and messiest trees for your yard are sweet gum, ash, bradford pear, pecan, northern catalpa, cottonwood, hackberry, silver maple, weeping willow, southern magnolia, loquat, gingko and red oak trees. These trees either drop leaves, debris, pollen, and fruits in your yard.

Below is a list of trees that someone looking for a low-maintenance yard should not plant. These trees each have unique qualities and needs for care. While these trees aren’t bad to plant in your yard, they can be quite dirty and messy over time.

How Clean Are Sweet Gum Trees?

Sweetgum seeds on tree

Although this tree is exquisite to look at, it comes with a price. This tree produces a massive mess for you to clean up.

The seed pods of the Sweet Gum tree are tiny spiky balls. Native to Kentucky, this tree can grow to over 70 feet tall in full adulthood, meaning you will have a ton of tiny spiky balls haunting your yard.

These balls will not only cause you issues, but your neighbors may experience them as well. Sweet gum tree balls also hurt to step on if you walk outside barefoot.

The good news about this tree? There is a non-fruiting variety. This is great for you if you love the look but hate the clean-up!

Weeping Willow Trees Leave a Big Mess

a large green crown of a weeping willow against a blue cloudless sky on a clear sunny summer day

This tree is single-handedly the worst possible tree to plant. Don’t get me wrong, the tree is beautiful, but it is a pain to maintain.

Willows are constantly shedding twigs, branches, and other debris. You will regularly have to clean up after a weeping willow. The main issue is the willow tree leaves. As they grow older, weeping willow trees shed more and more leaves, causing a bigger mess.

Another issue with the weeping willow is their love for the water. These trees will seek water out by any means possible and can compete with other trees nearby for resources.

They will rip up driveways, sidewalks, and anything in their path on their hunt for water. Their roots will tear up pipes and be overall destructive.

So overall yes, willows can be a dirty or messy tree if not maintained properly.

If you’ve ever wondered, you can learn more about the difference between willow and weeping willow trees here.

Are Ash Trees Dirty?

single ash tree

Ash trees are deciduous trees, meaning they shed their leaves in the fall. They grow to be well over 50 feet tall. That is a lot of leaves to fall! 

Not only do ash trees drop their leaves everywhere, but their seeds, often called samaras, are also a mess! Their winged seeds float in the air and land nearby the tree, causing a mess on your ground.

So, in all, ash trees are a somewhat dirty tree to just have out in the middle of your yard.

The good thing about Ash? You can make the wood into wonderful furniture. If you are an avid woodworker, definitely consider this tree!

Why Bradford Pear Trees Are Messy For Your Yard

Bradford Pear Trees

Do you like pears? Do you want to grow pears? Well, this tree is not for you. The fruit it produces is inedible. 

These trees flower every year. Some say the flowers even stink. Those flowers turn into tiny fruit; however, you cannot eat them. Bradford pear trees also have extremely weak branches. So, you’ll have inedible fruit and a plethora of branches in your yard if you plant a bradford pear tree.

The bradford pear tree is an invasive tree and can wreak havoc with its roots in your pipelines. Your space is better taken up by a beneficial tree rather than this ornamental mess.

Their invasive nature makes them a real problem for landowners. These trees can cross-pollinate and when birds and other wildlife eat the fruit, they spread the seeds. Those trees invade land and cost money and time to remove.

Are Pecan Trees Messy/Dirty For Your Yard?

pecan nuts in the organic garden plant

Who doesn’t love a good pecan pie? Well, maybe some of those who grow pecans. 

Pecan trees can be messy trees to cultivate. This is because of the nuts that fall every year in the fall. When they drop these nuts, they can leave your yard in shambles.

When pecans fall off the tree, their casing comes off the nut first. If it is still green, it releases a brown dye and stains everything. Squirrels may also leave nutshells all over the yard. 

The wood is a top choice for smoking meat. Often the tree drops branches and leaves everywhere. For some, these branches are great. If you have no use for them, they can be a real pain. 

Northern Catalpas Are Messy Trees

Catalpa speciosa white flowers and foliage.

This tree is a beautiful addition to any yard. It flowers yearly, giving your yard beautiful fragrant white flowers. It also grows to be 40 to 50 feet tall. 

This sounds like the best tree, right? Well, the catch is, northern catalpa trees are a mess. Those flowers and seed pods fall yearly, creating a lot of clutter you will have to clean up. These flower petals can be slippery when decaying as well. 

Another issue with this tree is its wood. The wood can be very brittle, meaning if you live anywhere with storms and most of us do, cleaning up fallen limbs will be necessary.

Why Are Cottonwood Trees Bad?

Season of flowering poplar fluff on a close-up branch

Cottonwood trees are a member of the deciduous family. They can grow between 50 to 80 feet tall.

The cottonwood tree’s fatal flaw: their cotton-like fibers. During late spring to early summer, these trees drop their cotton fibers. These are the seeds of the tree. These lead to an absolute mess in your yard.

Cottonwood tree seeds get everywhere, and I mean, everywhere! They go miles around the tree. Not only will it plague you with the white fluff, your neighbors will be too.

It is the glitter of the tree world!

Another major problem is these trees’ pollen. If you have hay fever: you will be miserable! 

Why Are Hackberry Trees Bad For Your Yard?

Prunus padus, bird cherry, hackberry, hagberry, Mayday tree white flowers

This tree produces fruits that are typically consumed by wildlife (bird cherry.)

The fruits of hackberry trees, when not consumed, will fall to the ground. They litter the area and rot, causing flies and other insects to appear. This leads to a very messy and dirty tree, which can attract unwanted wildlife to your property as well.

If wildlife is not your goal, this tree is not for you. Wild animals can cause problems for you and your family by making messes all over your yard.

Raccoons and bears would be the most prominent issue. Bears can knock over garbage cans, littering your yard with garbage. Not only will bears do this, but they also often break into cars. 

Silver Maple Trees Are Dirty/Messy For Your Yard

Spring view of Silver Maple Trees in a sunny day, Green Park, London

Silver Maple trees are known for their beauty. They make fantastic additions to landscapes. Their silver bark is a stark contrast to darker barked trees. 

However, Silver Maple trees have a fatal flaw. These trees are so resilient that their roots will tear up everything. They will rip up foundations of homes, sidewalks, and even sewer lines.

Fallen leaves are another concern, but this is common with any tree. You will need to rake often when leaves fall to the ground. These leaves can cause the grass to die and be a hiding spot for various species of wildlife.

On the bright side, silver maple trees can actually be tapped for maple syrup! You can learn more about tapping silver maple trees for maple syrup here.

Are Red Oak Trees Messy?

old northern red oak tree (Quercus rubra) with colorful autumn leaves in a park, seasonal landscape

These trees are in the oak family, and oak trees are, by nature, dirty trees. Everything they do makes a mess. 

First off, oak trees produce acorns. Acorns drop everywhere and squirrels eat them, leaving empty shells around. When squirrels bury the nuts, they sometimes sprout and cause trees to germinate in undesirable places. 

Oak trees produce pollen; this pollen coats everything in a yellow powder. Not only does the pollen get everywhere, the pollen often causes allergies. 

These trees lose their leaves every year. Which means, of course, the leaves fall and coat the ground. Leaves on the ground can kill your grass, so the only option is to rake them up. 

The leaves of a oak trees can actually get pretty big. Thus, you’ll have significantly more clean up to do once the red oak leaves fall.

Leaves, acorns, and pollen will clog your gutters. Not only that, but red oak trees are very large. If branches fall, they can cause major damage to vehicles and homes.

Again, this is the same with all trees. Are all trees dirty? to some extent, but red oak trees are pretty large on their own. You could similarly argue that every other oak tree is just as dirty, as well.

Red oak trees and white oak trees can cause some similar issues.

White Mulberry Tree Berries Can Leave Stains

mulberry berries

Mulberry trees are renowned for their delicious berries! These dark berries make tasty jams, pies, and other desserts. 

The downfall is these berries fall everywhere and stain everything. This becomes an issue if a mulberry tree is planted near your house or deck. Additionally, what doesn’t fall attracts wildlife. They also create a spreading forest of mulberries.

If you do not want a stained yard or a large population of wildlife, do not plant this tree.

Southern Magnolia Trees Can Be Messy

the Magnolia tree. Beautiful blooming white Magnolia flower on a tree with green leaves

Magnolias are a southern gem. When you speak to any southerner about these, they will rave about the flowers produced. The flowers smell divine. Southern magnolias are a favorite among tree enthusiasts and a Florida native.

Another thing a southerner will tell you, these trees are messy! Once the flowers die back, they leave these seed pods. These seed pods fall everywhere. Another issue is the leaves, like most trees, which will cover any plants or grass unless raked and removed.

Even though this tree is beautiful, it is a mess. Heed this warning before planting.

Loquat Trees Are A Mess

Vew of a loquat tree filled with fruits in spring season.

Loquat trees originate from China. These trees produce sweet fruit with seeds in the center. The loquat is a fruit loved by many.

Unfortunately, loquat trees are quite messy. The fruit has a thick skin that you must peel to enjoy it. The fruit that is not eaten drops to the ground. These fallen fruits will ferment. This creates a smell that attracts flies. It will make your entire yard smell unpleasant.

These fruits can also attract animals. Animals like raccoons love to make a mess of your yard over these delicious fruits.

Ginkgo Trees Are Very Messy For Your Yard

Large tree Ginkgo biloba in autumn

Ginkgo trees originate from Japan. These trees are dioecious, which means they have separate sexes. Most only plant male trees for their yards. 

If you end up with a female ginkgo tree, you are in for a real journey (pun intended.)

The female Ginkgo tree produces seeds. These seeds are covered in flesh and once they mature, they stink. Often this smell is described as having an odor similar to vomit. The cause of this is butanoic acid. Male ginkgo trees can actually turn into female trees on their own and produce seeds regardless!

If you do not want your yard to smell like vomit, avoid this tree at all costs. The ginkgo tree is in-fact one of the dirties/messiest trees for your yard.

How Do You Deal With Tree Droppings?

If you decide you want a tree that drops leaves, seeds, or any other debris, you may wonder how to clean it up. 

A good rake is necessary to pick up after your trees. For leaves, you can just use a leaf blower like the SnapFresh Leaf Blower. You cannot go wrong with the dual speeds, ergonomic design, and cordless capabilities!

However, when blowing leaves do not blow them into the street as it can create a hazard for motorcyclists. 

Another valid option is to hire a lawn care service. Typically, these services charge extra for leaf pickup. Most, however, will run over tree droppings with their mowers.

An option for nuts is a collector like the Large Nut Gatherer, which is easy to operate, ergonomic, and comes with a storage bag for the nuts you pick up. These work great for collecting up any nuts that drop. This tool will even work for pine cones and pine cone-like debris. 

Having animals like goats will help pick up debris off the ground. Goats love oak trees and will eat fallen leaves and acorns.

How Do You Stop A Tree From Dripping Sap?

The truth about trees dripping sap, often, it isn’t even sap. Most trees do not produce sap. If they are dripping something that looks like sap, it is probably honeydew.

Mostly, honeydew is caused by pests. Pests include:

  • Aphids
  • Lace bugs
  • Cicadas
  • Scale

Knowing pests is important in preventing an infestation. The best way to prevent infestations is to get ahead of the bugs.

Diatomaceous earth and Neem oil are fantastic ways to deter insects. Commercial sprays like the Bonide (BND204) – Fruit Tree Spray Concentrate are effective ways of treating infestations. This spray contains insecticides, fungicides, and many other pest repellants. 

What Can I Do With Tree Droppings?

So, what if you already have some of these trees that constantly drop things into your yard? Well, here’s a few simple tips.

Repurpose Fallen Tree Acorns

Sometimes, fallen leaves, nuts, and branches are a blessing in disguise. You can collect these items and use them for various things around the home. 

One use for nuts from your trees is cooking and eating. Some use acorns to produce flour. These flours can be a great alternative used for baking or arts & crafts!

Check out our guide for 9 amazing fallen acorn uses!

Use Fallen Leaves For Compost

Now, instead of blowing away the leaves, there’s another option.

You can use leaves in your compost. This will help provide the brown and green material you put in. Compost is important for everyone as it is useful in multiple ways for your various plants!

Repurpose Fallen Tree Limbs And Branches

Limbs and branches are species-dependent. Some, like oak and pecan trees, work great for smoking meat! You can use others inside garden beds under the soil to help feed your plants. 

Another cool use for branches and other debris is making your own decor. Many crafty people use natural items like pinecones to make crafts. This can be a fun way to upcycle your yard debris!

That’s All For Now!

Personal preference is the crucial deciding factor in all landscaping matters. No two trees are alike, just as no two people are alike. 

The way you think and work should drive the species you choose. It is not a tree’s fault your yard is dirty. Choosing the landscape that optimizes your lifestyle is the best method for you.

Choosing fruit trees based on taste helps eliminate fruit waste and mess. Thorough research is key to not making mistakes when deciding what trees to plant. While many trees are perfect for everyone, these just aren’t.

While a lot of these trees are beautiful, a fatal flaw of many of them is the amount of debris they drop. Understanding yourself is important to landscaping. Choose trees that fit your lifestyle overall. 

Trees are expensive, so planting ones you will ultimately hate is a mistake nobody wants to make. Some of these trees also have unique care properties not fit for those who hate maintenance. 

Landscape according to your time, taste, and goals for your yard. A well-landscaped yard with the proper trees can be your personal oasis. I would hate for you to regret any tree choices!

References 

Gabriel, W. J. (1990). Acer saccharinum L. Silver maple. Silvics of North America2, 70-77.

Martin, P. (1983). Factors influencing globe huckleberry fruit production in northwestern Montana. Bears: Their Biology and Management, 159-165.

Jul 21, Factsheet | HGIC 1032 | Published:, and 2014 | Print. “Ginkgo or Maidenhair Tree.” Home & Garden Information Center | Clemson University, South Carolina, 2014, hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/ginkgo-or-maidenhair-tree/. Accessed 7 Nov. 2021.

“Magnolia Grandiflora (Bull Bay, Large Tree Magnolia, Southern Magnolia) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.” Plants.ces.ncsu.edu, plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/magnolia-grandiflora/.

“Salix Babylonica (Weeping Willow) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.” Plants.ces.ncsu.edu, plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/salix-babylonica/.

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