skip to main content

Entwining Weeping Willows

14 years ago

We are moving into a new house soon, and I am planning on planting a weeping willow in the backyard. It will be well away from the house, and we don't have a septic field or any underground pipes out in the yard to worry about.

A big part of my motivation is the ugly and somewhat inefficient drainage ditch that was cut across the back yard. I'm hoping the willow's spreading roots and love of water can help get rid of this eyesore and the erosion that it encourages.

Specifically, though, I am wondering about the practicality of combining two young trees. When I was younger my mother had two ficus trees entwined as saplings, and they grew up together. One had standard leaves and the other was variegated. The combination was quite beautiful. I want to try and do that with the willow, and combine a Golden Niobe (Salix alba tristis) with a green variety (Salix babylonica). They have similar growth rates and adult heights.

Has anyone tinkered with this sort of entwining? What's the best technique?

I want this to grow up to be a nice big shady spreading tree, and I'm hoping for a result like my mom's ficus - the appearance of a single tree, but with two different colors of leaves.

Any advice is appreciated!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

iforgotitsonevermind
14 years ago
Weeping willows don't live too long. Why don't you interplant with some more desirable longer lived species that love water.
Dawn Redwood, Black gum, Ironwood, Sycamore, sweetgum et cetera.
iforgotitsonevermind
14 years ago
I meant bald cypress not dawn redwood. Although that's another idea.
Related Discussions
Weeping Willow looks dead at the top
Q
Comments (4)
Curly Willows do this all of the time. They grow so quickly, that much of the growth does not get hardened off prior to winter and these areas die back and turn black. Just prune back to the green and watch the tree grow all over again this year. I have several Nishiki willows that I cut back severely to the older wood, and by the end of summer, they will have grown back 3-5 ft with their beautiful white and green leaves. A sight to behold. Willows always die back some in cold weather and this does not injure the tree.
...See More
Weeping Willow is making me weep
Q
Comments (11)
Sorry for the sideways pics. Phone was portrait and they were portrait when I saw on the computer screen then turned sideways when I uploaded them here. I will go back to the Test Forum and try to do better next time. As for size-there are others in our area that were planted near the same time and those trees are huge maybe not 25' but really really tall. The stakes are there trying to train branches to grow on the north side of the tree. It did work. I've tried the "just let it grow" method and this is what I've ended up with so taking DZITMOIDONC's queue I went ahead and pruned the thing. Figured it wasn't doing good thus far so anything would be better. Just as I suspected all the weight of the long whips were keeping the branches from growing up and out. After pruning of course they sprung up and the tree became 2 feet taller and 3' wider! I guess not the right time of year but I couldn't stand it. I'm going to use the thickest cuttings and plant another nearby. Again, wrong time of year but our weather should be beautiful for the next 3 months and hopefully it will work. I thought you were supposed to plant trees in the fall. ?? I truly appreciate all of the advice and comments.
...See More
HAVE: Weeping Willow & Tortured Willow Cuttings
Q
Comments (11)
Hi silverwind, I have some cuttings of Corkscrew & Weeping Willows that I can send to you, either or both. They are not rooted yet but have been in water for over a month and will root if given ample mulch and plenty of water. They grow really fast. Keep them topped out for bushier trees and to reduce damage from the severe wintry weather elements. Send me an email with your mailing address and I will get those out to you. If it is still too cold there, you can keep them in a basement under light or in a sheltered area on the south side of your house covered with a white trash bag or clear plastic and they will be okay until it warms. Annie
...See More
Tree Advice for Weeping Willow near Property Line
Q
Comments (62)
I have a similar problem along the south side of my yard, where there are 3 large Silver maples flanking the property line. Two are on the neighbor's side and one is on my side. Acer saccharinum is a fabulous tree but it is difficult to grow anything under the shady canopies and in the root zones of these trees. They're water hogs and have aggressive roots and probably shouldn't be planted anywhere near human structures, septic systems or sewer lines, or gardens. I can only imagine that Salix babylonica is even worse. I've planted Grey dogwood, American hemlock, 'Dark Green' and 'Green Giant' Arborvitae, Forsythia, Cornus alternifolia, crabapples, American hazelnut, and others along this border and most are hanging in there/doing ok, but I had some dieback in the drought this past summer and no doubt they would be growing so much better if they didn't have to compete with big Silver maples! I will probably attempt to do some root pruning of the silver maple roots next year to reduce competition with the smaller shrubs and trees.
...See More
razorbunny
Original Author
14 years ago
Mostly I want it for its appearance, and its other qualities are just a bonus. Everywhere I've read says they have a 40+ year lifespan if they're cared for, that doesn't sound so bad to me.

The yard is full of mature long-lived trees, mostly white oak. I'm planning on planting the lowest part of the yard with as many more trees as it will support, to create a little miniature dense forest near the back fence.
iforgotitsonevermind
14 years ago
Ok Birch then.

40 years for a weeping willow is seriously pushing it. They are weak wooded and break apart in storms.
cascadians
14 years ago
I have a lot of willows, and they're entwining. Just had a huge thunderstorm, almost tornado, blast through here yesterday, so everything's tangled. What a mess.

What I'm finding is that one must monitor the branches carefully because if they cross or touch they will rub each other and make wounds which hurt the trees and invite insects and fungus.

I like the look of mixed foliage but it's more work. I use a binoculars and tall pruners. Had to cram lots of trees in here to suck up a swamp water problem.

Willows like sunshine and will get leggy competing with each other.

Had I had enough land would have planted them far apart to be specimen trees to shine in their individual glory.

Look into the Prairie Cascade, imho the most beautiful of all willows, very fast growing and strong and hardy with bright golden branches in winter and large glossy dark green leaves in summer.

Related Stories

OUTBUILDINGS My Houzz: Simply Escapist in Santa Cruz

By Shannon Malone

Thrifty furnishings and a romantic willow tree turn a backyard cabin into a comfy, unpretentious hideaway

LANDSCAPE DESIGN The Weepers and the Creepers: 10 Intriguing Trees for Your Garden

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Bring something a little different to your landscape with a tree that dives, twists or crawls

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Grow a Lush Privacy Screen

By Christine Tusher

No need to wait forever for patio privacy the green way. These 10 ideas will get your screening up and running in no time

LANDSCAPE DESIGN For Garden Drama, Consider the Lowly Boulder

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

A boulder can be a thing of beauty in the landscape. Here are 10 ways to display them to full effect

TREES 11 Japanese Maples for Breathtaking Color and Form

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

With such a wide range to choose from, there’s a beautiful Japanese maple to suit almost any setting

LANDSCAPE DESIGN The 7 Best Plant Types for Creating Privacy and How to Use Them

By Falon Mihalic

Follow these tips for using different kinds of plants as living privacy screens

NATIVE PLANTS 10 Top Plants Native to the Desert Southwest

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Get a thriving garden despite unforgiving conditions with these tough, unthirsty, sun-loving beauties

LIFE 10 Ways to Honor and Remember a Departed Loved One at Home

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Help the grieving process and keep beautiful memories alive with these thoughtful tributes

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Ditch the Ordinary Ditch: Create a Realistic Dry Creek Bed

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Here’s how to turn your water runoff system into an eye-catching accent for your landscape

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Harry Lauder's Walking Stick

By Annie Thornton

"Gnarly" is a compliment here — a twisted form and yellow catkins make this plant unforgettable in the winter landscape

Sponsored

Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers

49 Reviews

Columbus Area's Luxury Design Build Firm | 17x Best of Houzz Winner!

More Discussions

Transplanting a stewartia Japonica?

4

Is it possible to supplement a plant with glucose?

16

Is This a Sandbox Tree?

1

Japanese Maple for sun/shady deck

2

Paw paw seedlings or cuttings

6