Another gardening question

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WinsomeDefiance -> Another gardening question (7/19/2011 9:02:28 PM)
Ok, this question is about Willow Trees. I want me some, and they grow so beautifully in Michigan. I was thinking of going out and getting me some cuttings, but after some research I learned this is better done in fall, which means I'd have to nurse the cuttings inside all winter before being able to plant them in May. My question is this, has anyone had any luck using vegetative propagation on Willow whips? Were you able to cultivate them prior to fall? Did you have to nurse the cuttings inside or were you able to plant them before fall and did they thrive if you did so? Yes, I know, I could just go out and buy me a few Willow trees and plant them, but I was kind of excited about going out and hunting me some Willow! Thanks. WinD

peppermint -> RE: Another gardening question (7/19/2011 10:33:38 PM)
I have not started willow trees but have started lilacs and forsythia. In the very early spring I made some 15 inch cuttings off the hard wood, used some rooting hormones, and buried the cuttings in the ground 4 inches or so. Since I lived in western WA at the time I didn't even have to water them all that much as mother nature provides plenty of that in spring. I made sure they were watered well when summer came. I lost some cuttings but more than half took root. Two years later I was giving them away as gifts. The little bit of research I just did about willow cuttings says you can take the cuttings in the early spring. That way you wouldn't have to nurse them along all winter. Perhaps I did not quite understand all that you are trying to do. Good luck!!! I just remembered that I left only 2 leaves on each cutting. I was afraid if more were left the cutting would dry out.

Iamsemisweet -> RE: Another gardening question (7/19/2011 11:08:40 PM)
Willows are easy to grow and lovely, i agree. This is not necessarily the best time to be planting cuttings, unless you are having a very wet and cool year, like we are here. You probably know this already, but be careful where you plant them, they are very water loving and their roots will find their way into any pipe, including your sewer and water pipes. Expensive.

WinsomeDefiance -> RE: Another gardening question (7/20/2011 1:23:32 AM)
Thanks for the answers! I wanted to go out this weekend, find Willows and plant them NOW. I didn't want to have to wait. Since I have to figure out where the sewer and water pipes are, I guess I'll either just go buy me the trees all ready to be planted once I know that I can plant them where I want, then wait until spring to see if I can't take a few cuttings too. I didn't see taking cuttings in Fall and nursing them inside all winter, to be all that feasible considering my penchant for killing all things potted. I can plant something in the ground and it thrives, but put it in a pot and it dies (sighs) Cuttings in April and planted in May sounds doable. I am worried about piping/sewer headaches, so I may reconsider trees with invasive root issues. I have this huge almost perfectly circular sand pit in my back yard from where an above ground pool had once been. I pictured this Irish Stone Circle meets Japanese Sand Garden image in my head and was anxious to see the garden started. I already have several huge stones (they are very easy to come by in Michigan) and there are already small trees, ivy and other plants that have grown along the parameter of the circle. It just seems like so much of the work has already been done for me. I just have put the rest of my vision into place. In my mind, that started with the Willow trees. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to answer my odd question :) It was very much appreciated. WinD

rockspider -> RE: Another gardening question (7/20/2011 6:30:52 AM)
When it comes to the root issue the safety distance is quite large. Don´t go below 25 M, which preclude most domestic gardens.. By the way, if the pipes is steel or the poly type, which is now used lots of places, then it is not a problem.

LaTigresse -> RE: Another gardening question (7/20/2011 7:18:13 AM)
I can only echo what others have said about starting them. I also echo taking care with where you plant. Not only can their roots be destructive they are MESSY! My grandmother loved them but my grandfather made sure it was planted out in the corner of the yard far away from the house.....note they lived on a farm and the corner of the yard was within visual distance of the house for my grandmother but not in a place where my grandfather cared about mowing and leaf mess.

Musicmystery -> RE: Another gardening question (7/20/2011 7:28:29 AM)
quote: Ok, this question is about Willow Trees. I want me some, and they grow so beautifully They are almost ridiculously easy to start, but before you do, find out if it's legal where you live! As others have said, beauty aside, they are fast growing messes, and planting new ones is often prohibited.

GreedyTop -> RE: Another gardening question (7/20/2011 7:30:12 AM)
I'd love a willow myself.. but no way around here. too many PVC pipes, too close together (the downside of living in a neighborhood) I just wish I could find a fast growing shade tree that wasnt a deep/wide rooter... again with the water system being too nested (for lack of a better term in my sleepy head)

Hillwilliam -> RE: Another gardening question (7/20/2011 7:30:36 AM)
Dont put a willow within 50 yards of a septic tank or drain field or you will regret it.

WinsomeDefiance -> RE: Another gardening question (7/20/2011 8:17:55 AM)
It never occurred to me that it might be illegal to plant them! Damn, this is getting complicated. Maybe I'll look into planting dwarf apple trees or something less invasive and troublesome instead. Any recommendations? I love Willow trees, but maybe I'll just go visit them at the river instead.

WinsomeDefiance -> RE: Another gardening question (7/20/2011 8:25:23 AM)
I have Lilac trees already growing in the backyard, maybe I'll take cuttings from them! Mine bloomed early and no longer have blooms, but my neighbors are still blooming. I wonder if there's something I should have done to keep them blooming? Thank you all, for the information and heads-up about the cons regarding Willow Trees.

peachgirl -> RE: Another gardening question (7/20/2011 11:07:58 AM)
I love willow trees and their gentle weeping aspect. In searching out trees for my own garden, I didn't have enough room for a willow (my next door neighbor has one) and thankfully I didn't know about the issues surrounding them. Instead, I planted an Evergreen Pear (non-fruit bearing) and an Eastern Redbud. The Eastern Redbud should grow fine in your climate and is a slow grower. The leaves are very large but they do have that "weeping" aspect to them. The Evergreen Pear is my absolute favorite. I live in California so I don't know if it will grow where you live. The leaves are medium size and 'droop" a bit off the branches. In the spring, when it flowers, the petals are a small, transparent white that are absolutely gorgeous. They do shed their leaves in the fall, turning a beautiful rust red color. Hope that helps!

Muttling -> RE: Another gardening question (7/20/2011 11:35:29 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: peachgirl I love willow trees and their gentle weeping aspect. In searching out trees for my own garden, I didn't have enough room for a willow (my next door neighbor has one) and thankfully I didn't know about the issues surrounding them. Full size willows do need lots of space, but there are a number of dwarf varieties as well as weeping cherry trees and weeping japanese maples that have a nice appearance without the need for lots of room.

peppermint -> RE: Another gardening question (7/22/2011 11:45:27 AM)
If you like the weeping look of the willows, look up weeping mulberry. They don't grow tall but they weep. As a kid my club house was inside the mulberry. We could hide from adults as well as eat the fruit. Since mulberries come as male or female trees, if you don't want the mess of the berries (and birds eating the berries can make messes) make sure you get a male.

DameBruschetta -> RE: Another gardening question (7/22/2011 1:05:34 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Muttling quote: ORIGINAL: peachgirl I love willow trees and their gentle weeping aspect. In searching out trees for my own garden, I didn't have enough room for a willow (my next door neighbor has one) and thankfully I didn't know about the issues surrounding them. Full size willows do need lots of space, but there are a number of dwarf varieties as well as weeping cherry trees and weeping japanese maples that have a nice appearance without the need for lots of room. I second the weeping Japanese maple suggestion... we had one at my house (several kinds of dwarf Japanese maples actually) and I adore them so. If you want some extra color the red weeping variety is red in summer and crimson in fall, and there is also another dwarf variety that features redish purple leaves int he summer with crimson leaves in the fall. (This particular one only reaches 8 ft and is what we had.)

WinsomeDefiance -> RE: Another gardening question (7/22/2011 4:10:38 PM)
I looked up the Japanese Weeping Maple and fell in love with it! It is perfect for what I had in mind. Now I'm really excited about getting started. Thank you, everyone!

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