The dappled
willow (Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’)
is a popular ornamental tree with a graceful weeping habit. It has lovely
gray-green foliage streaked with pink and white. Since this tree grows quickly,
pruning a dappled willow is always an important part of the maintenance. Read
on for information on dappled willow pruning.
Cutting Back Dappled Willows
The dappled willow is native to Japan and Korea where it
frequently grows near water, like along streams and in marshes. Its shoots were
used in yesteryear for basket making. A Dutch breeder brought Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’ to this
country in 1979.
Today, it is considered an ornamental, which means that
dappled willow pruning is a part of many gardener’s to-do lists. All willows
grow rapidly, and dappled willows are no exception. Keep this in mind when you
are choosing trees for your backyard.
Dappled willows are attractive, tolerant, and quick-growing trees. You’ll find that these willows grow branches and shoots remarkably fast. They also produce lots of suckers around their bases. You’ll need to trim a dappled willow at least once a season to stay on top of its growth.
If you are wondering how to prune dappled willow, you’ll be
happy to hear that you can virtually do no wrong. These are very forgiving
trees and will thrive no matter how you trim them. In fact, cutting back
dappled willow almost always makes them more attractive. That’s because all new
shoots grow in with lovely pink-tinged foliage.
How to Prune Dappled Willow
There are a few steps you will want to take every time you
prune, while the rest will be dictated by your plan for the shrub/tree.
Start pruning a dappled willow by removing dead, broken, or diseased branches. This is essential for the health and vitality of the plant.
If the plant growth is dense, you should then work on
cutting back dappled willows on the inside to open them and allow for better
air circulation. Also, remove
suckers from the base of the tree.
After that, you enter the stage of discretional trimming. You must prune your dappled willow to the shape you prefer. You can prune it into a short shrub, allow it to grow to its full height, or select something in between. Let your overall landscape plan be your guide.
As you shape and trim a dappled willow, maintain its
graceful natural shape, upright and slightly rounded. Use loppers and/or
pruning shears to thin overly long branches and head back terminal growth.
The dappled
willow (Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’)
is a popular ornamental tree with a graceful weeping habit. It has lovely
gray-green foliage streaked with pink and white. Since this tree grows quickly,
pruning a dappled willow is always an important part of the maintenance. Read
on for information on dappled willow pruning.
Cutting Back Dappled Willows
The dappled willow is native to Japan and Korea where it
frequently grows near water, like along streams and in marshes. Its shoots were
used in yesteryear for basket making. A Dutch breeder brought Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’ to this
country in 1979.
Today, it is considered an ornamental, which means that
dappled willow pruning is a part of many gardener’s to-do lists. All willows
grow rapidly, and dappled willows are no exception. Keep this in mind when you
are choosing trees for your backyard.
Dappled willows are attractive, tolerant, and quick-growing trees. You’ll find that these willows grow branches and shoots remarkably fast. They also produce lots of suckers around their bases. You’ll need to trim a dappled willow at least once a season to stay on top of its growth.
If you are wondering how to prune dappled willow, you’ll be
happy to hear that you can virtually do no wrong. These are very forgiving
trees and will thrive no matter how you trim them. In fact, cutting back
dappled willow almost always makes them more attractive. That’s because all new
shoots grow in with lovely pink-tinged foliage.
How to Prune Dappled Willow
There are a few steps you will want to take every time you
prune, while the rest will be dictated by your plan for the shrub/tree.
Start pruning a dappled willow by removing dead, broken, or diseased branches. This is essential for the health and vitality of the plant.
If the plant growth is dense, you should then work on
cutting back dappled willows on the inside to open them and allow for better
air circulation. Also, remove
suckers from the base of the tree.
After that, you enter the stage of discretional trimming. You must prune your dappled willow to the shape you prefer. You can prune it into a short shrub, allow it to grow to its full height, or select something in between. Let your overall landscape plan be your guide.
As you shape and trim a dappled willow, maintain its
graceful natural shape, upright and slightly rounded. Use loppers and/or
pruning shears to thin overly long branches and head back terminal growth.