TREES > WILLOW > CORKSCREW
IN THIS GUIDE
WILLOW GUIDES
Container GrowingPruningVarieties – Corkscrew – Flamingo – Weeping
Corkscrew willow tree are ornamental trees that can be great choices for many garden .
Corkscrew willow tree – Salix babylonicavar.pekinensis‘Tortuosa ’ – also known as ‘ Salix matsudana Tortuosa ’ and ‘ Dragon ’s Claw Willow ’ , is an attractive ornamental Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
Salix matsudana‘Tortuosa’
This is one of a number ofSalix matsudana(Chinese Willows ) which are now let in within theSalix babylonicaspecies .
Overview
PreferredFull Sun
ExposureExposed or Sheltered
Height1 – 12M+
Spread4 – 8M+
Bloom TimeSpring ( varies )
PreferredMost land types
MoistureMoist but well - drain or well - drained
pHAny
S. babylonicais a specie of willow tree which is aboriginal to dry sphere in China and Korea , though it has long been cultivated elsewhere in Asia – and these willows are now ordinarily grow in many garden around the world.1Salix babylonica . ( n.d . ) . Kew Royal Botanic Gardens . Retrieved March 27 , 2023 , fromhttps://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:777133-1
Corkscrew willow is the most democratic horticultural variate of the type ofS.babylonica(formerly referred to asS. matsudana ) .
It is famed for its strongly twist stalk and luggage compartment .
The writhed forms of this tree make it a popular decorative tree in gardens .
This is a tight - growing deciduous tree diagram , with narrow , twisted leave-taking ; it stomach insignificant xanthous catkin in the saltation .
The manakin of the tree is its major draw .
The tree is a middling large one , which can grow to an ultimate height of more than 12 meter and has an ultimate spread of around 4 - 8 m.
Why Grow A Corkscrew Willow?
bottle screw willows , as mentioned above , are most usually grown for their contorted branches , which make interesting and attractive shapes in the plant computer architecture of a garden .
Like other tree with interesting chassis , these trees look unspoiled throughout the twelvemonth , but are particularly treasure for the interest they add to a winter garden , when the trees have lost their leaves .
Like all other willows ( members of the Salix genus ) corkscrew willows have salicin in their clean bark.2Salix matsudana . ( n.d . ) . PFAF Plant Database . Retrieved March 27 , 2023 , fromhttps://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Salix+matsudana
Salix matsudana‘Tortuosa’
Willow bark can also be used to make a rooting compound , that further good root formation on plant cutting – and can improve results in plant multiplication . Added to water in fresh flower musical arrangement , it is also enunciate to keep clean peak look good for longer.3Wise , K. , Gill , H. , & Selby - Pham , J. ( 2020 ) . Willow barque extract and the biostimulant complex Root Nectar ® increase multiplication efficiency in chrysanthemum and lavender clipping . Scientia Horticulturae,263 , 109108.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2019.109108
How To Grow Corkscrew Willow
Corkscrew willow should only be grown in a position where there is blank to do so .
This plant , as mentioned above , can grow rather cursorily into a fairly large tree , so while it can be a good choice for larger garden , it might not be the best choice in a pocket-sized space .
If you have a smaller garden then you might wish to consider insteadS.×sepulcralis‘Erythroflexuosa ’ .
This is a small willow tree that also has contorted stem , but which will typically grow to between 4 - 8 m in acme , with a normal breadth of between 2.5 - 4 m.
“ If you are looking for something up to 6 m and like the bottle screw smell but your soil is not dampish most of the twelvemonth , a good choice is the slower growing bottle screw hazel ( Corylus avellana‘Contorta ’ ) , ” Dan Ori , a Master Horticulturist , recommend .
This alternative is sometimes touch on to as ‘ Golden Corkscrew Willow ’ .
It prefer somewhat moister conditions and can also be a good willow to choose for poorly drain sites .
These trees do best in a clay , loam or sandy territory which is moderately rich and rich .
It is unfussy about pH , but will incline not to flourish in calcareous conditions .
Moist but well - drained or well - run out conditions will suit them best ; these tree require to be grown in full sun and definitely will not thrive in even fond nuance .
However , they can be suited for exposed as well as shelter spots and are H5 stout in the UK .
Corkscrew willow is a tree diagram that will suit a comparatively large garden with a relaxed and low - maintenance tone .
It can be a good choice for an ornamental timber garden , come with by other trees and shrub of architectural interest , or grown alone as a specimen Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
One important thing to note is that willow tree solution are shallow and can cause problems when planted too nigh to base .
They can break up paving or paths , and could cause damage if set too close to buildings .
bottle screw willow tree are substantially planted between September and November , though bare root trees can be planted at any sentence over the dormant menstruation .
“ Supported with appropriate watering , container - grown plant can be plant at any meter , but juiceless periods should be avoided , ” enunciate Dan .
Make a hole large than the root globe of the tree diagram , with some good timbre compost or organic matter at the base of the kettle of fish .
water system in well , re - tauten the soil in place around the raw tree , and mulch well around the radix ( taking care not to stack mulch around the trunk ) with constitutive subject .
Amulch of woodwind chippingscan be a skillful option .
Plant Care
When placed in an appropriate location with suitable grow conditions , corkscrew willow trees are loosely a low maintenance and easy to care for plant .
But there are a number of things to support in judgement –
Like most tree , bottle screw willow tree will require a petty more watering until they become establish .
So make trusted that you water well during dry periods over the first yr or so .
After this , rainfall will usually be sufficient , but be certain to irrigate during periods of prolonged drought .
Remember , mulching each spring will retain moisture in the dirt and stop the develop arena from drying out as promptly .
Mulching is also usually all that will be command to maintain fertility for your willow tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , as long as you are growing in moderately fecund grime .
If growth is not as potent as it should be , you could also consider adding a world-wide - purpose organic fertiliser in the spring .
bottle screw willow tree are commonly well - form tree which require small pruning . However , light pruning can be undertaken in March .
Remove any branches which are dead , damage or morbid .
The target is to create an undetermined structure without branches touching – this will help oneself keep the tree healthy and happy .
Propagation
Willows are incredibly easygoing to circularise and spiral willows are no exclusion .
Stems ( hardwood cuttings ) can simply be placed into the ground in autumn , where they will tend to take root easy and can be move to their final produce situation the play along yr .
Common Problems
Willow trees are not ordinarily killed by pests and diseases , but can be prostrate to certain problems .
bottle screw willows might , for model , be dependent to aphid , caterpillar , leafage beetle or sawfly plague .
Keeping a good biodiversity and proportionality in your garden can help keep pest numbers down .
Make certain you constitute around your willow tree to draw in predatory insects and other beneficial wildlife which will help keep plague at bay .
Willows like corkscrew willow tree can be affect by fungal diseases such as willow anthracnose , and rust .
Willow anthracnose causes dark-brown or disastrous spots to appear on the leave , and unorthodox lesion may be image on young base .
dissemble leaf and shoot may be shed , leaving the crown of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree sparse .
Prune out affect expanse quickly to forestall its spread ( it is worth noting thatS.‘Erythroflexuosa ’ , the alternative tree mentioned above , is resistive to anthracnose ) .
In the case of rust , pustules will be seen on leave and stanch – ordinarily , rust fungus will only reduce vigour , but in uttermost cases can occasionally kill the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
Again , withdraw pathologic cloth as quickly as possible and keep the material away from your compost organization .
Expected Lifespan
When cared for properly , corkscrew willow trees should remain in your garden for many years to amount .
However , this is a evenhandedly curtly - lived specie , and will usually live around 30 - 50 years before dieback kickoff to happen .
