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Willow Tree planting advice

GillyWilly2GillyWilly2 Posts: 19
in Plants
We want to plant a willow tree in our paddock and have plenty of space to grow a large tree.  We would like approx 3m+ size tree to plant.  It is in full sun but wet clay ground, as we have a stream running through paddock.  Would like to plant early December to scatter relatives ashes on his birthday.  Any recommendations on variety, planting tips and suppliers please?  We are North Cotswold/South Warwickshire border.  Thanks for any advice.
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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Several different varieties of willow in the UK ... Crack Willow, White Willow, Weeping Willow and more ... take a look here 

    https://www.treeguideuk.co.uk/willows/

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Weeping willow on the bank of the stream.  Fabulous.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I adore a row of pollarded Crack Willows along the bank of a river or stream ❤️ 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    Willow can be used for certain things.  Dove mentions pollarding, i.e. the regular removal of twiggy type growth for such crafts as basket weaving etc.  Used carefully it can provide pea boughs if you grow peas, so it may help those with better knowledge than me if you specify whether it will be a simple memorial or more?
  • GillyWilly2GillyWilly2 Posts: 19
    nick615 said:
    Willow can be used for certain things.  Dove mentions pollarding, i.e. the regular removal of twiggy type growth for such crafts as basket weaving etc.  Used carefully it can provide pea boughs if you grow peas, so it may help those with better knowledge than me if you specify whether it will be a simple memorial or more?
    Thanks Nick, we want Willows (will probably plant 2 or 3) to help with the wet ground and also provide shade for the horses in full sun.  Personally we like the Weeping Willow but not sure about suitability or timing for planting so open to suggestions.  The relevance to the memorial was nothing more than timing - we want to plant it early December to scatter ashes with the family on with his birthday in the paddock where he spent a lot of happy times with the horses.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    The trouble with pollarded willows is that they are labour intensive - need an annual cut which takes time and effort and is best done by people who know what they're doing and have the means to remove the cut stuff.

    Basket weaving is best done with the coloured stemmed willows which are stooled every year - not the same as pollarding and a lot easier.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Willow pollards are the traditional East Anglian way to keep the foliage up an out of the reach of stock so would be appropriate. 

    If you don’t want the thin withies for weaving they only need pollarding every 3 or 4 years or so and if they’re done at a reasonable height it’s no big deal 

    https://norwichfringeproject.wordpress.com/2017/02/21/swardeston-common-willow-pollarding/

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • jamesholtjamesholt Posts: 593
    Here are some different types I planted for you to see. I'm not sure the name of this willow.  We have always. Called them globe willows.the top picture is a weeping willow.another weeping willow i planted. do you like bald bald cypress?the beavers like the weeping willows. Have lost about ten and the leaves have this on them?  I don't know what disease this is?
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    edited November 2020
    Have a read of this @jamesholt - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=575 It explains some problems that willows have and also varieties that are resistant.

    We have inherited a fairly large pond in this garden.  It was dug out for cattle to get water but the place hasn't had any cattle for a couple of decades now and the pond was full of goat willow, brambles and rushes when we moved in 4 years ago.  We have had it cleaned and planted a twisted willow in the shallow end - grown for a cutting in our Belgian garden and spends its winter up to its knees in water but seems happy - and a weeping willow which was a cutting from our Belgian neighbours' tree at the steeper end.  It has taken 2 winters to decide it's not struggling anymore so I hope by the end of this winter it will have its feet down below the summer shallow water line and will start to grow strongly.

    Just a few weeks ago I planted another willow with straight stems but twisted leaves in another part of the shallow end.  I hope it takes as this was a cutting from a new friend here who has downsized and found this cutting was robbing all its neighbours in the new garden of moisture and nutrients.  

    If I were planning on coppicing or stooling willows regularly I would definitely choose ones with colourful stems as they are most in demand for weaving into baskets, obelisks, bird nests and other garden ornaments.

    @GillyWilly2 Autumn is a great time for planting as the soil is warm and moist and the roots can grow away well before they have to start work on growing the canopy in spring.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    So there you are, GillyWilly2, plenty of info to be going on with.  If you want temporary pain relief, chew a small twig of willow - contains aspirin.  All the old basket makers had a piece permanently in their mouths and never had head or tooth aches.
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