How big do hybrid willow trees get?
Willow Hybrid Care
Before planting your trees, consider their size. They can grow between 35 to 45 feet tall in rows and 75 feet tall on their own. Also, they can grow to be about 20 to 30 feet wide.
Hybrid willow trees have vigorous growth: pushing about 12 feet per year. They reach a mature height around 30-40 feet tall in less than 5 years.
These Willows will mature at around 50 feet tall and up to 35 feet wide, and live 50+ years.
Weeping willow trees do best when planted in areas that receive full sun to partial shade, in slightly acidic, moist soil. They should only be planted in Hardiness Zones 4-10.
CAUTION DO NOT plant WILLOW close to buildings, walls, stone structures, drains & septic tanks where their roots may cause damage, as willow needs plenty of water and the roots actively seek it. We suggest a planting distance of 1.5 times the maximum height that the plant will be allowed to grow.
Willow trees are easy to grow and require moderate care. Prune young trees to keep lower limbs up for easier maintenance.
They Have an Invasive Root System
Weeping willows love water, and their roots will grow more quickly when moisture is nearby. When planting, be sure to distance the tree from your septic system or any underground pipes to prevent the roots from causing damage.
Willow trees are low to no maintenance once they are established. Willows adapt to most soil and can tolerate wet sites. Newly planted willow trees should be watered deeply 2 to 3 times per week for the first couple months.
It grows very fast; often more than three feet per year.
The weeping willow root system can spread up to three times the height of the tree itself, and these shallow roots go on to crack pavement, damage foundations, protrude above the soil, and invade water lines.
Weeping willows do not attract mosquitoes. While the trees do attract an array of insects, but not mosquitos. If anything, willows may reduce the amount of mosquitoes in an area, because they use up standing water sources that may draw the insects near.
Are all willow roots invasive?
The weeping willow has a strong and vast root system. Unfortunately, this root system can be considered invasive. It is advised not to plant this tree near pools or homes to ensure those structures aren't impacted by the roots.
Black willow is the largest native willow in Ontario and North America. It is common on moist sites throughout southern Ontario, as far west at the Bruce Peninsula and north to Pembroke. It may be confused with many non-native willow species.
Since they're rapidly growing trees, willow hybrids have very strong roots that are often used to fortify soil and prevent erosion. With that in mind, they can be invasive, damaging any underground piping or wiring that gets it their way.
Willow bark has been used throughout the centuries in China and Europe, and continues to be used today for the treatment of pain (particularly low back pain and osteoarthritis), headache, and inflammatory conditions, such as bursitis and tendinitis.
In urban areas willow tree roots have been known to invade drains and pipework. Willow trees are best avoided in all but the largest gardens and then only planted well away from the house and any possible pipework.
They are fairly "messy" trees because they get big (40 feet tall and wide or more) and drop an increasing number of those narrow little leaves as they grow. Because weeping willows are such fast growers, they also tend to be weak-wooded and often drop branches as they age.
The trees tend to prefer consistently moist soil, although they can survive periods of drought when they're well established. When they are newly planted, however, weeping willows need water at least every other day.
Answer: Weeping willows are deciduous trees and will lose all their leaves in the fall.
Soil Preference
The weeping willow grows well in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well-drained and clay soils. It grows well near water but has some drought tolerance.
This is a common misconception – ticks do not live in trees.
What makes willow trees cry?
The willow tree is sometimes referred to as the “weeping willow.” This name comes from the way raindrops run down its long leaves, making it look like the tree is crying.
Willow trees can be buzzing with wasps, bees, flies, and other insects during late summer. These insects are probably attracted to honeydew deposits from sap-feeding insects, such as aphids. Good aphid control requires thorough spray coverage with a contact insecticide, such as insecticidal soap.
It's best to plant your willow in early fall when the weather is still pleasant and before heavy rains begin in late fall. Even in mild winter areas, fall-planted willows should be given at least a 3-inch layer of mulch to protect the roots if freezing temperatures hit your area.
The long branches can become an obstruction to foot traffic and make landscape maintenance more difficult than it has to be. You can shorten them to any length as long as you cut just below a leaf bud.
Hybrid Poplar VS Hybrid Willow grown for wood fuel.
Poplar initially grows with a single trunk rather than willows multiple branches. The Hybrid Poplar is a very tall growing tree, whereas the Hybrid Willow maximum height is between 6 and 9 m depending on variety.
Smaller Willow Varieties
There are tall willow trees and shrubs with many stems that stay quite short. The dappled willow (Salix integra 'Hahuro-nishiki'), for instance, is a lovely, little tree that tops out at just 6 feet (2 m.) tall.
The weeping willow has a strong and vast root system. Unfortunately, this root system can be considered invasive. It is advised not to plant this tree near pools or homes to ensure those structures aren't impacted by the roots.
They do well in wet soil and open ground. They are fairly "messy" trees because they get big (40 feet tall and wide or more) and drop an increasing number of those narrow little leaves as they grow. Because weeping willows are such fast growers, they also tend to be weak-wooded and often drop branches as they age.
The most dramatic example of this is the Willow Hybrid, probably the fastest tree on roots, growing an amazing 10 feet a year. That's right, 10 feet of growth in a single year and that is not just one thin shoot but the whole plant. In 4 years you will have at least a 30 foot tall screen.
The most classical, traditional and easily recognizable willow tree variety of all is Salix babylonica, or weeping willow. Native of China, this gorgeous tree has all the elegance of this genus, with long, flexible and drooping branches that fall from above to touch the ground…
Is a hybrid willow good firewood?
The Bigfoot Hybrid Willow can also be used for its wood. It can be used for firewood, mulch, lumber, pulp, and as a biomass crop. As a fast-growing firewood crop, it will be able to create more BTUs per an acre in a shorter time frame than most other trees. This will give you a readily supply of wood to burn.
Weeping Willow roots invade and clog underground pipes.
This is where much of their bad reputation comes from. Still, a Weeping Willow can interfere with underground lines and should be planted at least 50 feet away from any underground water, gas, sewage, or electrical lines.
The weeping willow root system can spread up to three times the height of the tree itself, and these shallow roots go on to crack pavement, damage foundations, protrude above the soil, and invade water lines.
