White willow bare

White willow Liempde (Salix alba Liempde) – an attractive form of white willow. The cultivar was obtained in the late 1960s in the Netherlands.

A fast-growing tree reaching 20-25 m in height. Branches grow upright and form a narrow-conical crown. Lower lateral branches may droop slightly at the tips. Young shoots are smooth, greenish, later becoming orange-brown-reddish. Bark dark gray, with longitudinal fissures.

Leaves lanceolate, dark green above, beneath covered with silvery hairs, thin, with an acute tip, finely serrated at the margin. In autumn, before falling, they acquire light yellow shades. They fall fairly early.

Flowers appear at the same time as the leaves, in April-May. Catkins are loose, cylindrical, thick, greenish-yellow.

Hardiness zone: 4(-30°C).

Location: sun-loving but tolerates partial shade. Grows well in urban conditions. Not demanding with respect to growing conditions. Needs a site protected from strong winds.

Soil: not demanding; grows on any sufficiently moist soil with good drainage. Prefers fertile soil, although it can grow on poor and dry soils.

Planting: It is best to carry out planting in spring before bud break. When establishing a «willow grove» (stands of willow) it is recommended to cultivate the soil in autumn to a depth of 30-80 cm, depending on its fertility and dryness. The top soil layer should be turned upside down. The recommended spacing between seedlings should be at least 0.6-2 m, depending on the species. Planting depth – 40-70 cm. Transplanting is recommended up to 3-4 years of age. On heavy soils, drainage of crushed stone or sand in a layer of 20-30 cm is recommended.

Pruning: tolerates cutting and pruning well.

Care: requires virtually no care.

Propagation: propagated by summer and hardwood cuttings.

Pests: longhorn beetles, willow leaf beetle (Lochmaea caprea), Crepidodera aurata, larvae of hymenopterans (Trichiosoma sibiricum), caterpillars of lepidopterans (Acleris cristana, Teleiodes notatella, etc.).

Diseases: susceptible to fungal diseases – fungi of the genera Melampsora, Rhytisma, Erysiphe, Phytophthora ramorum.

Uses: used in single and group plantings. Used for creating avenues, in parks, squares, along roads, in areas with increased moisture, near water bodies.