How To Care For Pussy Willow Tree?


In addition to watering, moist soil, and pruning…all that you need to know!

How To Care For Pussy Willow
 
Pussy willow trees make up for a beautiful ornamental tree in your backyard. It is one of the loveliest plants that grow in spring. In Chinese tradition, these stunning trees represent abundance and prosperity and are used for decoration during the new year celebrations.
 
Its elegant branches bloom clusters of downy little flowers or catkins. These branches are often used for preparing creative items. People also like to use its trimmed branches with buds for display in a decorative vase.
 
Their popularity and beautiful appeal made us curious to learn and share how to care for pussy willows, know what type of plant it is, and how to grow it right?
 
So, we’ve it all here for you.
 
In This Article

 

Pussy Willow Overview

Scientific name Salix caprea, Salix cinerea, Salix discolor, Salix cinerea
Native area Asia, Europe, North America
Mature size 6’ – 25’ tall, 4’ – 15’ wide
Sun exposure Full sun to partial shade
Type of Soil Loamy
Hardiness Zones 4 to 8 (USDA)

 

How To Take Care of Pussy Willow Trees?

When you plant pussy willow variety under the right conditions and follow the correct care regime, it’s very easy to grow this majestic tree. All you need to see is that you choose the right variety for your growing zone, plant it in soil rich with organic matter and cater to its watering needs because it loves loads of water.
 
That is just the gist of it. Let us dig deeper.
 
Growing zones: These trees grow best in USDA hardiness zones from 4 to 8. So, make sure you are not planting them out of their comfort zone.
 
Soil requirements: The plant requires moist, loamy soil to thrive nicely. It can prosper if the soil isn’t very well drained too. But, for best results, the soil should be well-drained yet hold the right amount of moisture. The preferred pH for the soil should be 6.5-7.
 
Moving on how to take care of pussy willow water requirements.
 
Water needs: As mentioned above, pussy willows enjoy growing in wet and properly drained soils. For this particular reason, they love growing alongside the stream banks in the forests.
 
Pussy willow trees like to receive abundant water consistently and hate dry drought-like situations.
 
When you plant it in porous soil, make sure to water it more often. Contrastingly, when planted in dense soil with good water retention, you can irrigate your plant once every week. Remember all you need is to always keep damp soil.
 
Preferred temperature: Apart from being watered frequently, this willow tree type requires suitable temperature conditions for survival. These plants love to thrive well in cold winter months with temperate conditions.
 
As such you can typically find them in Canada and Northern United States with growing zones 4 and 5, whereas when planted in warm climates, the plants grow slowly in growth zones from 6 to 8. The best-highlighted features of pussy willow are that it can even survive under high humid conditions.
 
Does pussy willow need fertilizer? Of course, the pussy willows require intake of leaf mold or compost. After one year of planting your pussy willow, you should add at least a half pound of fertilizer for a half-inch base to trunk diameter. Make sure that the fertilizer doesn’t reach the trunk of the pussy willow tree.
 
Time-to-time pruning: – When creating your checklist for how to care for pussy willow trees, don’t forget to consider timely pruning. Remember that your ultimate goal is to enhance the lateral shrub size and limit their upright growth.
 
With regular pruning, your plant will develop many new branches and big catkins. Pruning can further provide a good prevention over fungus, insect-related problems, and other diseases. The best time for pruning your pussy willows is winter, which is their state of dormancy.
 
Related: Weeping Willow Care
 

How To Propagate Pussy Willow Carefully?

If you are looking for popular ways to propagate your pussy willow plants without taking much risk, you should consider propagating using stem cuttings. There are other propagation options as well like collecting and planting pussy willow seeds. But the most effective approach for propagation is to use stem cutting. Learn how to use it carefully.
 

  1. Take a stem cutting with a thickness of a pencil. Remember that green stems with supple growth are better for propagation instead of older and gray branches.
  2. Place a few inches of the branch base into the ground. Leave it underground to get some stability and slowly it’ll develop some little nodes above the ground.
  3. Make sure to water regularly since pussy willows love damp soil. Give it some time and you’ll see new leaves and roots grow in just a couple of weeks.
  4. If you want to grow your pussy willow before summer, plant your stem cuttings in water indoors. You’ll slowly observe them growing roots in water. After the risk of frost is over, you can transplant the cuttings outside.

 

Taking Care of Common Pussy Willow Diseases and Pests

There is a large number of pest problems and diseases that can affect your pussy willow. But this strong and upright shrub can easily grow without much involvement, like in the case of removing dead branches.
 
Some common diseases that you should look out for include gray scabs, mildew, cankers, and leaf spots. Make sure to carefully prune out any damaged or affected branches. In case of pest infection, if you don’t act timely, you might even have to remove the entire plant. Be careful to watch out for the following insect pests like scale, lace bugs, borers, caterpillars, and aphids. Use pesticides in case of severe infestation.
 
Protect your plant against wildlife that can end up eating your pussy willow branches. This involves fencing your yard to protect it from wildlife like squirrels and deer.
 

FAQs

Q. How to preserve pussy willow branches?

Ans.Pussy willow branches can be easily preserved to make ornamental pieces both indoors and outdoors. It involves depriving your willows of regular water needs. You can cut down the branches before it blooms catkins.
 
When it becomes brittle and dry, make sure to soak it for 24 hours in the water per foot. This means if you want to preserve 4 feet-long branches, let them soak in water for 4 days. After that you can wrap it in a moist cloth for a few days before using it.
 

Q. Should I buy the plant online or not?

Ans.You can shop for it online or offline depending on your requirement. Just make sure to look at the condition and size of the plant before investing in one. Once you know in which stage your willow is you would better know how to care for pussy willow nicely.
 

Q. Are pussy willows toxic to cats?

Ans.Though regarded as non-toxic to cats, pussy willows do create adverse effects in cats when consumed in large quantities. Is it so because pussy willow contains salicin which turns into salicylic acid after metabolism, hurting the cats. It is best to keep your cats away from pussy willows.
 
Final Word

Pussy willow is easy to grow and forms a beautiful display of cutting branches with lovely flowers and catkins.
 
You can conveniently get it either online or from your nearest market. Before buying take care to check the width and height of the plant. Don’t forget to look out for any signs of diseases and pests. With the above mentioned advice on how to care for pussy willow trees, the road ahead is smooth.