White willow 'Golden Ness' Salix alba 'Golden Ness'

Water

Golden willows require consistent moisture and should be watered deeply, especially during dry spells. They are water-loving trees and thrive when the soil is kept evenly moist. Water them at least once a week, providing about 2 to 3 gallons for young trees, increasing to 5 to 10 gallons for more mature willows. During the growing season, check the soil moisture regularly and adjust your watering schedule to ensure that the soil doesn't dry out completely. While they can tolerate short periods of drought once established, prolonged dryness can lead to stress and damage to the tree.

Light

Golden willows flourish in full sun, meaning they need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot for these trees is an open area where they can receive unfiltered sunlight throughout the day. While they can tolerate partial shade, too much shade can reduce their growth and vigor, so prioritize a sunny location for optimal health and golden foliage display.

Temperature

Golden willows are hardy and adaptable, capable of surviving in various temperature conditions, but they perform best in temperatures ranging from 35°F to 75°F. They can generally tolerate winter lows down to -20°F and summer highs up to 90°F without significant damage. Placing them in an environment that stays within this broad temperature range will help ensure their overall health and growth.

Pruning

Pruning golden willows helps maintain their shape, size, and overall health. It's best done in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Pruning too often or at the wrong time can lead to reduced flowering and weakened structure. It's advisable to prune every 2 to 3 years, removing dead or diseased branches, thinning out overcrowded areas, and shaping the tree as desired while it's still dormant.

Cleaning

Not needed

Soil

The White Willow 'Golden Ness' thrives best in moist, well-drained soil with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.5. A mix of loam, sand, and compost is ideal to ensure proper drainage and fertility.

Repotting

White Willow 'Golden Ness' is typically not repotted as it is a large tree; instead, it may require occasional transplanting to manage its size or location.

Humidity & Misting

White Willow 'Golden Ness' tolerates a wide range of humidity levels but prefers high humidity, replicating its natural riparian habitats.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Not suitable for indoor growth; requires open space.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full sun to partial shade, moist area.

• Hardiness zone

  4-8 USDA

Life cycle

Salix alba 'Golden Ness', commonly known as the White Willow, begins its life cycle with seed germination, which typically occurs during spring in moist, well-drained soil. Seedlings establish and quickly grow into young saplings with vigorous root systems, characterized by their striking yellow twigs. As the sapling matures into an adult tree, it develops a broad, rounded crown with leaves that are green above and silvery beneath. The mature White Willow is dioecious, producing male and female flowers on separate trees; these catkins appear in early spring before the leaves. Once pollinated, usually by wind, female catkins develop into capsules that release tiny seeds spread by wind and water. The mature tree can live for several decades, and it can also propagate vegetatively through cuttings, which root easily and grow rapidly, completing its life cycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The most popular method of propagating Salix alba 'Golden Ness', commonly known as Golden Willow, is by hardwood cuttings. This technique is typically done in late fall or winter when the tree is dormant. To propagate, select a healthy branch and cut a piece about 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 centimeters) long and at least 1/2 inch (about 1.25 centimeters) in diameter. The cut should be made just below a bud. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting and insert it into a well-draining soil mixture so that at least two-thirds of its length is submerged. Keep the soil moist, and in spring, the cutting should begin to show signs of growth as it develops roots and sprouts new leaves.