This beautiful water-loving tree is not a good choice for the average yard.
White willow is a fast-growing tree that is usually planted in the fall.
Light
Choose a place with ample sun.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
White willow grows in partial shade, but it prospers in full sun.
The tree does poorly in shady conditions.
Soil
The soil for white willow should be rich and have excellent moisture retention while being well-draining.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
White willow thrives in moisture and can withstand temporary flooding but will not survive dry soil.
The tree is adaptable to a wide pH range between 5.5 and 8.0.
Temperature and Humidity
White willow is a very winter-hardy tree that favors a temperate climate.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
It does better in a cooler climate than in a hot, humid climate.
It is able to adapt to humid conditions.
Fertilizer
Do not fertilize a white willow tree.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Keep in mind that issues that come with the tree are not eliminated just mitigated.
Pruning
Pruning a white willow is a practice in prudence.
The main goal of pruning is to remove weak, damaged, and dead branches.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Propagation
It is highly discouraged to propagate the straight species for planting in a residential landscape.
However, It is possible to propagate cultivars from softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer.
Overwintering
White willow needs no winter protection.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
It is a tough tree able to survive northern winters in as low as zone 2.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
White willows are susceptible to various diseases and insect problems.
Most insects are just nuisances and do not cause any real issues.
How Long Does White Willow Bloom?
The bloom lasts for a few weeks.
What Do White Willow Flowers Look and Smell Like?
A white willow tree has either male or female catkins.
The male catkins are up to 2 inches long with tiny yellow flowers.
The female catkins are smaller and have tiny greenish flowers.
The male flowers are showier.
The flowers are not fragrant.
The tree grows fast but it is not long-lived.
it only has a lifespan of only 20 to 30 years before it begins to deteriorate.
Native trees are usually better for the garden and the local ecology.
Consider planting ablack willoworpussy willowinstead.
If you would like a weeping tree there are alsoseveral alternatives to choose from.
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.
