The Willow Tree is a beautiful specimen suitable for showing off in large gardens, in addition to being a species that generates great benefits for humanity due to its medicinal properties, since the main component of aspirin is extracted from it. If you want to know more about this majestic wonder of nature, continue reading and you will learn its characteristics, care, properties and much more.
willow tree
This tree, commonly known as Willow Weeping, is recognized throughout the world for its great properties and usefulness in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as being a species that denotes leafiness, strength and nobility. This bushy giant has peculiar hanging branches capable of touching the ground that give the impression that it is crying, hence its name. In this article we will present all the aspects that revolve around this beautiful and useful specimen of nature. Although it is not considered a long-lived species, it can last up to 60 years in the best conditions. It is native to Europe and western Asia.
Taxonomy
The Willow Tree, with its scientific name Salix, belongs to the kingdom of plantae, to the division of magnoliophyta, class magnoliopsida, order malpighiales and family salicaceae.
Etymology
The name of the Willow Tree, scientifically defined as Salix, derives from Latin, however, its origin is from the Greek Isalos, which means Waterline, which for the willow, is the way in which its branches are arranged.
Description
The Willow Tree is a species that has a watery bark, that is, it houses abundant water, but with hard wood that is easy to malleable, its color is dark brown, when they are young it is smooth and as they age they appear cracks. It has a very resistant, lagar and hard root system that in some cases develops out of the ground. Its leaves are deciduous type, because they fall every fall, so they are semi-perennial. Although there are species that are capable of keeping them all year round and depending on the climate.
It is of the hermaphrodite type, which gives it the opportunity to interbreed with other members of this same genus, which can be naturally or by cultivation. In terms of height, it can reach between 12 and 20 meters in the best of cases, although there are species such as Salix nigra that can reach up to 35 meters. Its branches fall to the ground. Its leaves are lanceolate, that is, in the shape of a spear point that can measure up to 15 cm, green on the upper side and glaucous on the underside. As for its flowers, they are distributed in inflorescences that sprout next to the leaves at the end of winter.
Willow Characteristics
One of the main characteristics of the Willow Tree is its trunk, which is rigid, very resistant and grows straight, it has large ribs that become more pronounced as it ages. Its branches have a reddish color and contrary to the trunk they are very soft to the touch with the appearance of tears. The leaves are oval and in some cases circular but long, their edge is serrated with little presence of petiole.
The flowers are presented in clusters of up to 20 centimeters that are located at the end of the stems, the female ones being smaller than the male ones, they sprout green and lighten as they mature and reach their point when it leaves the fruit. They bloom in spring.
Willow Tree Care
The Willow is a highly resistant species, capable of easily adapting to different types of soil and climate, without reaching extreme cold. In order for its development to be optimal, good exposure to the sun's rays is necessary, which is why it requires high humidity, which is why it is advisable to plant it near watercourses and in this way all its beauty will sprout. However, its root system is excessively invasive, so it is not advisable to locate it near pipes, asphalt or constructions. For this reason, it requires enough space so that its roots can develop in the best way, as well as its crown.
It is important to have a system for cleaning the weeds that can grow at the foot of the tree, removing it from the roots, as well as trimming the grass that grows around it. It is tolerable to pruning, this will guarantee a better flowering by removing the aged or dry branches. It is also advisable to fertilize it during the spring with a substrate rich in natural nitrogen. As for the soil, the ideal for Sauce is moist, with a neutral or alkaline acidity. Its irrigation must be constant because it demands a lot of water and even more so on hot days, you must be very aware that if defoliation begins it may be due to lack of water.
Willow Pests and Diseases
The Willow is a very graceful and strong tree, capable of adapting to any environment, however there are diseases and pests that can put it at risk. Here we present some of them.
Diseases: Among the most common diseases is Cytospora canker, a type of fungus that infects willows that have been attacked by insects, weakened by lack of water, exposed to extreme climates, or improperly transplanted. It appears as a hollowing in the branches, causing them to look dying. To combat it, it is recommended to remove the infected branches during dry weather.
Willow scab, is another disease caused by the fungus Venturia saliciperda, is a type of scab that causes brown or black spots on the leaves causing wilting and subsequent defoliation. Spores also occur on the underside of the leaf, surrounding the branches in a process called girdling, killing the cells that deliver nutrients from the root to the foliage. For this it is advisable to prune the infected branches and use specialized fungicides.
Black canker and willow blight are among the fungal conditions caused by the fungus Glomerella miyabeana that cause brown or black lesions and cause leaf shriveling and drooping. This occurs in the stems producing masses of spores and can lead to the death of the tree. For this, fungicides must be applied and the plant fertilized.
Fungal infections are also recurrent, of which Tar is one of the most common, it disfigures the appearance of the leaves with black spots but they are harmless. For this reason, it is recommended to rake the damaged leaves that fall on the ground and thus prevent the spread of the fungus. Another condition is powdery mildew, which falls on the leaves and is equally harmless, causing yellow spots that could end in defoliation. To do this, diseased leaves must be destroyed.
Pests
As for the pests that plague the Willow, there is the willow aphid, these sucking insects, have a sucking biting mouth apparatus with which they extract the sap, while injecting certain toxic substances. This sap causes stains to the bark of the tree causing the invasion of ants. The aphid reproduces rapidly, each female can lay up to 12 nymphs daily. To combat them you can use soapy solution, nicotine or garlic alcohol. Chemical methods can also be used but they will cause secondary effects on the plant.
The cochineal is another of the pests that usually invade the Willow, this insect is a parasitic hemiptera, which like the aphid is a sap sucker, which results in the leaves turning yellowish and deformed, with a a shiny, sticky substance and these create the perfect environment for sooty mold fungus. To combat them, you can use soap, water and methylated spirits and spray the entire plant or where the source of infection is, after a few minutes it should be rinsed.
Willow Tree Reproduction
To plant the Willow, it is advisable to do it during the spring. The seeds can be sown directly in the land chosen for it. If it is going to be done by cutting, a branch that is mature is taken and planted directly in the ground. It is advisable to place a mound of leaves to stimulate it to look at the subsoil.
Uses
That of the Willow Tree, as it is a species of fast growth, reproduction and little care, can be used for ornamental, commercial and medicinal purposes.
Ornamental
This species can be exhibited with great splendor on summer days due to its great foliage. During the winter its leaves become undulating which gives it a special look. It is ideal to show off in open places and with a lot of space for your glass to develop without difficulty. For this reason they look great on the banks of lagoons and streams. They are also recommended for parks, squares or large gardens.
Wood Industry
The wood of the Willow Tree is strong but malleable. Its quality is considered as regular and for this reason it is used to make rustic furniture and the shaft of tools. It does not have much resistance in the open, so it is used for furniture for internal use and as pulp for paper.
Medicinal
Since ancient times, the Willow was used to relieve pain and control body temperature, thanks to the component it produces called salicylic acid. This ingredient became the active ingredient in the well-known aspirins, which serve as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant and antipyretic. For its natural use, it is recommended to prepare an infusion with leaves and eat them three times a day.
This concoction can also be beneficial to soothe rheumatic, muscular, headache, ear, or toothaches. It can be used to improve sleep, treat cold or flu discomfort. The infused water from the bark is used topically to treat insect bites, mouth infections, burns, and pharyngitis.
Willow Tree Fun Facts
The Willow is considered a biblical tree, as it is said that Jesus Christ spent his last night under a weeping willow tree. Delivering a willow branch is a symbol of eternal friendship (although this specimen is not long-lived). Formerly they were only cultivated to make baskets or low-quality furniture. It is a species that is associated with enchantments, melancholy and mysteries.
I invite you to watch the following video and learn much more about the properties of the Willow Tree.
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