How to Grow Weeping Willow Trees in Minnesota
Weeping willows are attractive trees that provide a decent amount of shade. They have long branches that droop to the ground and a light green color. The are very moisture dependent and suffer in violent weather, such as high winds and ice storms. Weeping willows are very brittle plants and break easily. Plant a weeping willow in a suitable location, provide adequate care and it can be a nice addition to most any landscape. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Dig a hole with the shovel three times the width and 1-1/2 times as deep as the rootball. Add 4 cups of tree fertilizer to the hole. Do not remove the burlap, which will degrade and provide food for the weeping willow tree.
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Fill the hole with dirt, keeping the tree as horizontal as possible. Add a handful of fertilizer for every 8 inches of dirt.
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Cover the last section of the weeping willow tree and pack the dirt down gently. Water the tree for about 15 minutes with a garden hose.
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Water the tree at least daily for the next month with a garden hose for about five minutes. Add more soil if it seems to be giving way. Do not water on days that receive 1/4 inch or more of rainfall.
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Spray the tree with insecticide after it has been established, typically after the first 30 days, to help remove potential pest problems and keep the mosquito population in the tree down. Mosquitoes love living in weeping willows. Follow the insecticide's label instructions for dosage amounts.
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Prune the branches that are too long or not pleasing to the eye. Re-apply the insecticide each spring, as often as twice a year, if necessary. Remove dead branches in the spring.
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Tips & Warnings
Select a good tree from a nursery or garden store. Healthy trees will have at least 90 percent green leaves and nice rootball, the portion in the burlap at the bottom of the tree. Push a finger into the rootball. It should be firm, not spongy. Disregard spongy specimens. The best size of weeping willow for individual planting is 8 to 12 feet.
Determine your hardiness zone. Minnesota has a hardiness zone that ranges from 4b to 2a. Hardiness maps are available from the USDA, or ask a garden store professional. The hardiness zone dictates when to plant willows, which usually is late May in Minnesota.
Willows need water. The best place to plant them is in natural drainage areas in the back yard or near a lack.
High winds will create a sail effect with weeping willows. They are prone to losing large branches because of this.
Weeping willows also fair poorly in ice storms, as many of the branches can break and fall.
Weeping willows are notorious for harboring mosquitoes.
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Resources
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