Willow diseases. Willow - Online magazine “Living Forest” Why does the weeping willow dry up in the spring

Willow trunk wood is significantly affected by white or brown rot, branches and shoots of trees often dry out due to infection by imperfect and marsupial fungi.

White core rot of trunks. Caused by the fungus Phellinus igniarius salici (Bond.) - false tinder fungus.

The causative agent of the disease rarely forms fruiting bodies, so rot often develops in a latent form. The disease usually affects ripe and overmature trees. Rotting proceeds actively, often accompanied by hollow formation. The length of the rot reaches 5-7 m. The fungus is capable of developing on dead trees and harvested wood. Found everywhere in willow growing areas.

Willow branches drying up. The imperfect fungus Fusicladium saliciperdum Lind causes the death of branches in various types of willows: brittle, white, gray, etc.

Infection of branches occurs in the fall. In early spring, the mycelium, which has overwintered in the branches, affects the leaves that have not yet blossomed, which quickly dry out. Gradually, the mycelium spreads across the bark of young shoots and causes them to die. Dead shoots turn reddish-brown. If the disease lasts several years, the tree may die completely.

The conidiophores of the fungus are twisted. Conidia are olive-colored, two-celled, the lower cell is usually larger than the upper, measuring 18 - 25 X 6-10. The fungus is widespread in willow stands of the USSR and other countries, especially in the USA (Vanin, 1955).

Cryptomyces mafimus Rehm (conidial stage of Pilidium fuliginosum Auersw) is a marsupial fungus that causes the shoots of three-stamen and purple willow to bend and die. On the affected branches, sclerotial black-green crusts form, on which round black pycnidia form. The pycnidia contain curved conidia measuring 20-29×3-4. The fungus survives winter temperatures in the conidia or sclerotium stages.

Control measures. 1. Three or four times spraying with 1% Bordeaux mixture. The first spraying is carried out before the buds open, subsequent sprayings are carried out every 5-6 days.

2. Spring and autumn pruning of dried and diseased branches and burning them.

3. Protection of plantings from various mechanical damages.

4. Creation of good agricultural technology for growing crops.

Powdery mildew. Caused by the fungus Uncinula salicis Wint.

A white coating of mycelium appears on the affected leaves, which gradually grows and can cover the entire leaf blade. Later, round cleistocarps appear. The fungus undergoes the winter phase of development in the marsupial stage. The spores are oblong, measuring 26 - 32 X 10 - 11. It is common.

Control measures are the same as for oak powdery mildew.

Black leaf spot. Caused by the fungus Rhytisma salicinum Rehm., which forms small black shiny spots.

In spring, apothecia of elongated or round shape appear on the affected leaves. The bags are club-shaped, measuring 115-140 x X 8-15. If leaves are severely damaged, branches and young plants may die.

Control measures are the same as for other spots.

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There are about 600 species of willows found in the wild. They come in the form of shrubs and trees, tall and low, with a variety of leaf shapes and bark colors. There are also many varieties and varieties of them in culture. And all of them can be threatened by a huge number of diseases and pests. You will learn about the most dangerous of them from this article.

Did you know? Willow twigs are widely used in wicker weaving, the production of furniture, and baskets, so it is often planted not only for decorative purposes, but also for economic purposes.

How to deal with willow diseases

Since basically all pests and pathogens live in the soil, crown and under fallen leaves of trees, it is necessary to systematically treat the tree trunk by loosening and deep digging in the autumn, remove dry leaves, and adhere to watering recommendations.

In order not to miss the onset of the disease, trees must be periodically inspected. In autumn, at the beginning of leaf fall, willows should be sprayed with 3% Bordeaux mixture. In the spring, during the period of bud protrusion, two treatments are carried out with a 1% solution of copper sulfate at intervals of 4-5 days.

Important! Spraying willow should be carried out in dry, windless weather with mandatory observance of personal safety measures: eyes should be protected with goggles, hands with gloves, nose and mouth with a mask.

The causative agent of white core rot of trunks is the false tinder fungus. It provokes rot, which first develops in a latent form. Then you can notice rotten hollows on the trunks.

Control measures. Methods to combat rot include the following: timely pruning of withered, diseased branches and processing of cuts; wound treatment; filling hollows, getting rid of fruiting bodies of mushrooms.

Brown leaf spot

Willow is affected by several spots: brown, blackish, black, brown. Their development is favored by high humidity. Brown spotting of willow leaves appears in mid-summer - red-brown spots of irregular shape form on the upper parts of the leaves.

Control measures. When the first symptoms of spotting appear, the willow should be treated with fungicides approved for tree crops. In this case, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions for use.

Black leaf spot

Black leaf spot can progress on all types of willow. At the initial stage of the disease, which usually occurs in July, light spots up to 1.5 cm appear on the leaves. At the end of summer, traces of black sporulation form on their surface. The spores ripen in the spring, and then they begin to infect young leaves.

Control measures. Branches affected by spotting must be promptly destroyed by burning. Next, the tree must be treated with chemicals two or three times.

Crown galls are growths on the trunks and roots of willow that arise as a reaction of the tree to irritation caused by pests or fungi. In this way, the plant tries to protect its body from infection. The growth is quite large, brown in color. The willow poses a threat if girdling of the entire trunk occurs. In this case, the plant will be greatly weakened.

Control measures. Periodic inspection of trees. Timely control of harmful insects.

Did you know ? Willow is a very strong and resilient tree. It is able to recover even if its trunk is broken off almost to the ground.

Powdery mildew

Powdery mildew has a characteristic symptom - a powdery white coating on the leaves. It usually appears in July. Excited by mushrooms. Later, at the end of July, as the disease develops, small yellow, brown, and black dots containing spores of the pathogen form on the leaves. They can overwinter on fallen leaves, and at the beginning of spring, with the help of wind and insects, they can infect young leaves. Favorable conditions for the development of powdery mildew on willow are warm weather and good lighting.

Control measures. Inspect the plant regularly so as not to miss signs of disease at the initial stage. If symptoms are detected, the willow is sprayed with fungicides once or twice at an interval of two weeks. Autumn and spring preventative spraying will help protect the tree from powdery mildew.

Willow scab is a fungal disease that causes particular harm to weeping forms of the plant, although it can infect almost all species. It develops intensively when the weather is wet for a long time in autumn and spring. The first signs appear in the spring, two weeks after the young leaves begin to bloom. A characteristic symptom of this disease is blackening of willow leaves and shoots. Subsequently, the affected parts of the plant die. If a willow suffers from scab for several years in a row, it becomes weak and its immunity is noticeably reduced.

Control measures. To protect against scab, spraying with fungicides is necessary immediately after the leaves bloom. Repeated treatment is carried out after 10 days.

Rust

Rust is a fungal disease of willow leaves. It appears in the summer on the lower part of the leaf plate in the form of rusty spots and spots. With severe infection, the leaf may be completely covered with a red spot. By the end of summer, numerous yellow-brown dots appear on the upper part of the leaf blade. The spores are spread by the wind and overwinter in fallen leaves. A favorable factor for the development of rust is warm, humid weather.

Did you know? The development of rust fungi requires several host plants. Willow is the main host for all pathogens of this disease. Intermediate hosts are currants and larch.

Control measures. It is necessary to protect and treat wood from rust using the same methods as for various types of spots. For prevention, dry leaves and affected branches should be burned.

Bark necrosis is typical for weakened and young plants. Developing in the latter, it can lead to their death. The infection is transmitted through infected branches, from tree to tree. As a result of a long-term disease, the willow twigs dry out.

Control measures. To avoid contracting bark necrosis, the willow must be healthy. The causative agents of the disease penetrate only into the damaged cortex. They cannot climb into a healthy one without cracks. Therefore, care must be taken to prevent mechanical damage to the trunk and branches. If they are detected, treatment and healing will be required.

Diplodine necrosis of trunks and branches

Diplodine necrosis of trunks and branches most often affects weeping willows. It is caused by a fungus whose spores are spread by precipitation, wind and insects. The first signs of willow disease appear in April - May. At this stage, the bark on the trunk and branches turns brown, then dies and acquires a blue-gray tint. If the disease is not treated, the willow may die within a couple of years. In addition, plants weakened by necrosis become easy prey for various types of pests that finish off the tree.

Control measures. The same as for necrosis.

Fungi that cause tubercular necrosis infect branches of weak, diseased or pest-infested plants. The disease manifests itself in the form of small reddish, brown pads in the thickness of the bark. Later, the bark cracks and the sporulation bodies come out.

Control measures. Avoid weakening the plant and preventing it from being damaged by other diseases and pests. Sick and withered branches, as the main sources of transmission of infection, must be destroyed in a timely manner, the cut points must be disinfected and covered with special means. You also need to start treating the plant as soon as possible if it becomes infected with any fungus or infection.

Cytospor necrosis (cytosporosis) of trunks and branches

Infection with cytospora usually occurs in May–June. The infection affects plants through mechanical damage. This disease causes the willow bark to die. The dead areas acquire a brown color and are subsequently covered with sporulation bodies - dark tubercles. In the spring, spores emerge from there and form drops, ropes, and spirals of yellow, red, and orange color on the trunk and branches. Ripened spores are carried by precipitation, wind, and insects. Cytosporosis can provoke the death of young plantings.

Control measures. To prevent cytospore necrosis of trunks and branches, the same methods of prevention and control are carried out as for other necrosis.

How to deal with willow pests

Willow is damaged by about 37 harmful insects. In this article we will get acquainted only with the most dangerous ones that cause significant damage to leaves and twigs.

Birch heart fly

The birch heart fly causes damage to the twigs by making passages in them. As the rod grows, the passages tighten, but in their place, on the cross section, yellow spots remain. In this case, the rod becomes brittle.

Control measures. Due to the fact that the biology of this pest has been little studied, methods of combating it are difficult.

Willow moth is a white butterfly with a wingspan of 45-55 mm. Noticeable with black paws with white rings on them. Willow moth caterpillars begin their harmful activities in the spring. They feed on leaves for a month. They pupate in June–July. Two weeks later, butterflies fly out and lay eggs on trunks, branches, and leaves. These caterpillars also skeletonize foliage.

Control measures. It is necessary to attract insectivorous birds to willow growing areas to control pests. In case of mass damage, i.e. when the caterpillars damage more than 10% of the leaves, it will be necessary to apply insecticides.

Important! It is necessary to resort to the use of chemicals only if per 1 sq. m of plant, two or three or more insects are observed.

Alder weevil

The fact that the alder weevil has attacked the willow is evidenced by dried leaves on the shoot and numerous tunnels in the stems. Larvae appear in July - early August. Young plants suffer from them to a greater extent, as they chew off the phloem. They overwinter in cracks in the bark, in passages in the trunk, and in dry leaves. The following year, their harmful activities begin in the spring: weevils fly out in May to lay eggs and die.

Control measures. Affected twigs must be destroyed in the fall after egg laying or before mid-May.

The most dangerous for willow is the second generation of willow leaf beetles, which emerges in August. The larvae can completely destroy the foliage of a tree. Oviposition occurs in spring on the underside of leaves. The larvae appear after 7-14 days and begin to feed on the lower leaf plate. After a while, they go to pupate, and in August the second generation of beetles appears, which skeletonize both the upper and lower leaf plates. They overwinter under bark, foliage and in the soil.

Did you know? A hedge of willows is an excellent barrier from the winds. Even without leaves, it can reduce wind speed by 60%.

Control measures. After cutting the twigs in the fall, the ground between the trees is covered with straw and set on fire along with the old foliage. This will allow you to destroy the beetles that have gone into the soil for the winter. Also, during the pupation period, the ground around the willow is flooded with water. During the summer of leaf beetles, they are caught with special traps coated with caterpillar glue. In case of mass damage, intestinal insecticides are used.

The willow leafhopper lays eggs at the top of the shoot, after which it cracks and begins to branch the following year. In early June, larvae appear and feed on the sap of the shoots. As a result, the shoots stop growing and become brittle.

Control measures. Affected branches must be removed promptly. Collect larvae by hand, catch adult leafhoppers. Catching is carried out using a canvas smeared with caterpillar glue or tar. It is placed around the tree, and then the leafhoppers are scared off the shoots with a net. They fall and stick to the fabric.

Willow silkworm

This pest is a butterfly with a wingspan of 44-55 cm. Their flight occurs in June-July. They lay eggs on bark and leaves. The masonry looks like a silvery cake that is placed on the tree throughout the winter. In spring, it hatches into black caterpillars with yellow sides and white spots on the back. They feed on leaves, and exclusively at night. They pupate at the top of the shoots, entangling them with cobwebs. Such shoots subsequently lose their technical qualities.

Silkworm caterpillars pose a particular danger to young willows, as they can lead to their death.

Control measures. Until now, nothing other than preventive and mechanical methods of combating the willow silkworm has been invented. For prevention purposes, it is necessary to attract natural enemies of this pest - bats, sparrows, and parasitic insects - to willow plantations or to the garden where the tree grows. When insects attack, their larvae and eggs are collected manually. Butterflies are also caught.

When a willow is infected by a mayfly bagworm, a characteristic sign on a tree will be silky yellow sacs 5 cm long hanging from the branches. These are peculiar shelters for the caterpillars. The caterpillars of this moth eat leaves and twigs. As a result, the foliage falls and the plant weakens.

Control measures. Treatment with insecticides in the spring, before buds open, and in the summer.

Spider mite

Particularly dangerous pests are sucking insects. These, for example, include spider mites. It can be found on the underside of leaves, where it feeds on plant sap. Soon, the affected willow leaves become deformed, dry out and fall off. The tick survives wintering in the bark, under dry fallen leaves, in the ground.

Control measures. Fighting spider mites is quite difficult. You can use soap solution and insecticides. In case of severe infection, you will need Karbofos.

Common willow aphid

Another dangerous sucking insect that attacks willow is the common willow aphid. In spring, it feeds on the sap of leaves and shoots. Its presence will be indicated by deformed and curled leaves, as well as the presence of white scales under the tree - the old shell of the aphid. Later, when winged aphids appear, they fly to dill and carrots. These plants produce up to 10 generations of offspring, and in August they return to the willow. Here they are already laying eggs for the winter in cracks in the bark.

Control measures. As you can guess from the description of the life cycle of aphids, in order to avoid their attacks, it is necessary not to plant willow, carrots, dill and parsnips in close proximity. For deterrence, spraying with decoctions and infusions of insecticidal plants - onions, mustard, henbane, pepper, potato tops, etc. is used. It is also recommended to treat the tree with a soap-kerosene mixture and nicotine sulfate.

Rodents

Mouse-like rodents that gnaw roots and cuttings also pose a danger to willow.

Control measures. You can fight rodents using poisoned baits.

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Willows are often planted in parks and gardens near bodies of water. This, firstly, is natural, and, secondly, they will not look as aesthetically pleasing anywhere, and will not be as shady and healthy as in the immediate vicinity of the water. Willow is used to make hedges and tunnels, or it is planted separately in the middle of the lawn, making it possible to advantageously shade flowering ornamental shrubs or coniferous trees.

However, one pond will not be enough for the health of this original Russian beauty. After all, willow, like most plants, has its enemies. Russian, purple and willow willows are particularly susceptible to infestations of leaf beetles and aphids.

So, willow pests.

Willow pennitsa

Poplar leaf beetle

Found wherever willow and poplar grow. The poplar leaf beetle is a beautiful beetle 10-12mm long, with red elytra with one black spot in the middle of each. The beetles overwinter in fallen leaves. In early May they come to the surface and begin to feed intensively, gnawing through holes in the willow leaves. After fertilization, females lay eggs on the back of the leaf. The laying of eggs includes 200-500 pieces. After 8-12 days, larvae appear with a pleasant cinnamon smell. These larvae very quickly deal with the leaves, skeletonizing them, growing and spreading throughout the tree. After 20 days, the larvae pupate and beetles appear. These beetles lay their eggs in late July, the cycle repeats, and the next generation of beetles remains to overwinter in the leaf litter.

The poplar leaf beetle can cause significant damage to a tree under favorable conditions and, accordingly, mass reproduction. Young plantings suffer the most.

It doesn’t change from year to year, but if there really is a massive reproduction of this beetle, the trees need to be treated with insecticides.

Aspen leaf beetle

The aspen leaf beetle is similar to the poplar leaf beetle, but slightly smaller (7-10mm) in size and without a black dot on the elytra. Similarly, beetles overwinter in fallen leaves and come to the surface in May, gnawing off the edges and making through holes in willow leaves. In the second half of summer, eggs are laid, the hatched larvae eat up the leaves and crawl throughout the tree. Then they pupate and turn into beetles, which lay eggs again. The third generation grows up and overwinters in fallen leaves. Etc.

The aspen leaf beetle can reproduce in large numbers and severely damage aspen, poplar, and shrubby willow species.

Similar to the poplar leaf beetle, the aspen leaf beetle is best controlled with insecticides.

Willow silkworm

It most often affects twig willow. An adult is a white butterfly with a wingspan of 44-55mm. Butterflies fly during June and July, then lay eggs on willow bark or leaves, and glue the clutch together with a silvery mass. Thus, a pile of eggs resembles a flat cake.

In this state, the testicles overwinter. However, sometimes they manage to hatch into black caterpillars with yellowish-gray sides and white spots on the back, which spend the winter in the crevices of the bark. Caterpillars are very capable of eating willow and poplar leaves, and the eating process continues throughout the night, and during the day the pests, as if nothing had happened, calmly sit on the branches of the tree. Pupation occurs inside several leaves from the top of the shoot, held together by cobweb threads. As a result, the shoot bushes and loses its technical qualities.

Control measures include scraping testicles from leaves and morning collection of white butterflies that stay in the lower part of the trunks.

Common willow aphid

It affects not only willow, but also carrots, dill, and parsnips. Aphids settle on the apical part of the foliage, causing the leaves to become deformed and curled. Aphid eggs overwinter in cracks in willow bark and in buds. In spring, aphids settle on leaves and shoots and begin to feed on their juice. Later, winged aphids appear and fly to dill, parsnips and carrots. Several (up to 10) generations of aphids are born on these plants. And in August, winged individuals return to the willow to lay eggs in the bark for wintering.

Control measures include isolating willow plantings from crops of carrots, dill, parsnips, and destroying wild carrots. It is also necessary to spray with decoctions of phytoncidal plants - marigolds, onions, henbane, mustard, potatoes, peppers.

Spider mite

Another pest of willow is the spider mite, which attaches to the back of the leaf and sucks out its juice. As a result, the leaf dries and falls off. Adult female spider mites overwinter in fallen leaves.

Few people know about such a plant as goat willow Pendula. Planting and caring for it is very simple. To begin with, it’s worth telling what kind of plant this is and why it is grown.

Amazing plant

Goat willow is one of the varieties of trees that is grown for garden decoration. This plant looks the same as its larger comrade, only its height does not exceed 1.5 meters. The hanging crown consists of green leaves with white splashes. In some countries, this tree has a different name - bredina. Goat willow can be found along roads, on or in the mountains. Likes to grow on damp soils, mainly near various bodies of water. If you want to decorate your garden with something interesting, then Pendula is perfect for this. Planting and caring for a tree is not difficult, but first we’ll look at how to choose the right plant.

With a naturally round habit, it has its place in arrays, makes excellent paths or is grown in pots only if it is on a stem. Willow Shrimp - Salix-interagra Hakuro-Nishiki. Willow Shrimp foliage is obsolete. Its leaves are pinkish at the tips, especially in early spring and in full sun. It loses some of its pink and green color as the season progresses. Its green leaves are also seen white. Its foliage allows for the most beautiful associations and the most beautiful contrasts in the garden.

Willow shrimp are thriving, but they are not his first asset. Its flowers form small yellowish ears. Willow shrimp culture is simple. There are no particular difficulties: fresh soil and small sizes every year. Willow shrimp are exposed to sun or partial shade. In the sun, the rose leaves will be more intense. But be careful, exposures that are too hot can burn the young pink leaves.

Selection of planting material

When you arrive at the nursery, you should know exactly what to look for in order to buy a tree such as Pendula goat willow. Planting and care will depend directly on the quality of the seedlings. We invite you to review our following tips:

Tip 1. Specify how the shoot was obtained. Today there are two main methods:

The willow shrimp prefers cool, light and humorous soils, but does not become waterlogged. Straw to keep the soil cool. After planting and for the first 2 years, sprinkle shrimp eggs 2-3 times a week, especially in hot weather, until the root system develops properly.

Goat's globular willow

Willow shrimp are cold tolerant. To help it grow, a little compost every year in the fall will keep it growing well and healthy. Willow shrimp grows quickly. Judas shrimp need to be trimmed each year in late winter to maintain their ball shape and encourage new growth. We take the opportunity to remove dead wood. Use scissors or trimming shears that are sharp and sanitized to prevent the spread of disease.

• pruning;
• graft.

Using this information, you can plan further tree care.

Tip 2. If the second method was used, carefully inspect the grafting site. There should be no dead scales on the bark. The trunk must be straight and strong.

Tip 3. Buy only goat willow that has increased winter hardiness.

Plants are supplied bare-rind

Willow shrimp on a stem "Hakuro-Nishiki". Beware of anthracose and powdery mildew, like willow. Remove any affected leaves. Spray a mixture of Bordeaux to control anthracnose and sulfur to control powdery mildew. Plants supplied bare root were typically grown outdoors. They were then torn away and then cleared of their land. This operation is carried out during the plant’s vegetative rest period, and during this period it is necessary to replant.

Plants are supplied in buckets, containers and baskets

The advantage of this type of packaging is that, given equal sizes, their cost is lower than that which is packaged in containers or lumps. The downside is that they are only available during the same period. The container is a hard plastic pot, usually round, in which the plant is rooted. Its capacity is expressed in liters. The higher the litter, the more comfortable the plant should develop. In general, the older the plant, the larger the container. The indicated gradations are indicative and may vary depending on the variety of the plant and manufacturer.

How to grow a weeping beauty?

So, if you decide to make the site interesting, goat willow Pendula is considered an excellent option. Planting and care, photos of which are shown below, testify to its uniqueness. Let's take a closer look at the nuances of planting.

A bucket is a small, fairly flexible plastic pot, usually square, in which the plant is rooted in its soil. The number shown corresponds to one side of the bank at its widest level. For example, a 9cm bucket is a square pot measuring 9cm at the top, which is the widest. It is widely used for perennials and seedlings. The potted plants we provide have 6 months to one year of cultivation and are already well developed.

A basket is a jar, usually square and fairly low, in which the plant is rooted in its soil. It is perforated so that water can circulate in the substrate and provide the necessary oxygen to the roots. The number shown corresponds to the widest side of the basket. It is widely used for aquatic plants.

Willow grows on any soil. It is considered one of the few representatives of unpretentious plants. If you want to choose the ideal location for the tree, then medium loam is suitable. Even close groundwater does not prevent the plant from fully developing. Next, we carry out the landing according to the following algorithm:

1. We prepare a hole measuring 50*50*40 cm (width, length, depth).
2. Add compost, humus, and peat. Everything should be in equal proportions.
3. Don't forget about mineral fertilizer. It is enough to pour about 300 grams of it per plant root.
4. Mix all the contents of the pit thoroughly.
5. Now you can plant the tree.
6. At the end of the work, do not forget about thorough watering.

Goat willows take root easily. Planting can be carried out for seven months - from April to October - provided that the tree has a closed root system. You need to keep an eye on it so that it doesn’t dry out. If the plant has open roots, then it is better to plant in early spring, before the first buds appear, or in early autumn, preferably in September. So we found out how Pendula goat willow grows. We'll look at caring for wood next.

Serves as a rootstock

This is comparable to a half stem. Its height is about 2 m and its age is at least 2 years after transplantation. A 2-year-old bush is a tree with at least three branches from the base. Trees placed in half the trunk have one chest, the horns of which begin approximately 1.50 m from the ground. In general, the circumference of the trunk is indicated.

Trees supplied with tall stems have one chest, the branch of which starts approximately 2 m from the ground. This tree has no branches when delivered. It consists of only a relatively thick trunk and some fairly short roots when sold bare root. This strange aspect is normal. Nurseries remove them to make transporting plants easier. But in the spring or soon after planting, new leaves and branches appear and the tree takes on a more normal appearance. A tree with a tall stem most often has a large, even very large development.

Caring for the plant

Basic tree care includes:

• Watering. In the first year of life, this willow variety needs plenty of moisture. The Weeping Beauty should consume about 50 liters of water in two weeks. If the summer is too dry, then this volume is lost in a shorter period of time. For the second, third and subsequent years, one irrigation is sufficient, which can be carried out every week.
• Fertilizer. During the entire period from early spring to autumn, you need to feed the willow two or three times. Complex mineral fertilizers are suitable for this. In September, the tree is fed with superphosphate or potassium sulfur. If a dark coating appears on the leaves, then use
• Mulching. It helps retain moisture and stop weed growth. Peat, paper, sawdust, expanded clay or pebbles are ideal for this. All this material is crushed and scattered under the tree on top of the soil.
• Loosening. If the soil under the plant is too dry and cracks have formed, they need to be removed. To do this, loosen the soil a day after watering.
• Preparing for winter. This stage in care is also significant. In order for the plant to survive our harsh winter well, the trunk is wrapped with covering material. This procedure is used for trees under three years old.

We looked at how to properly care for a plant such as Pendula goat willow. Pruning is another main type of care to which we will pay special attention.

Its location is chosen carefully because once it is installed it will not be possible to move it again, except in the first years and provided that it does not become too large. Many fruit trees and some grafted shrubs are also sold in tall stems.

A tree with a tall stem gives the advantage that he can pass under his antlers without having the slightest inclination. This must be taken into account when regularly passing the lawn mower on the lawn underneath. This also allows you to set up a table, chairs or garden furniture in your own flattering shade without having to worry about branches once you're standing. This shrub has been pruned so that it has only one trunk or is grafted onto one trunk. The height indicated corresponds to the height of this trunk. The branches start from 60 cm in height.

Nothing extra

It is recommended to start pruning a tree from the first year of life. All shoots are cut off, leaving only 15 cm and one healthy bud, which should look up. This is the beginning of the formation of a regular and beautiful willow crown. Mature trees also need pruning, but do this after flowering. To make the willow thick, all shoots are shortened by 2/3 of the total length. Do not forget that all dry and diseased branches are removed immediately. As a result, you should have a tent-shaped tree with strong, healthy and beautiful shoots.

Goat's globular willow: photo and description

This type of form is mainly intended for roses and shrubs grown in pots or in linings. These are mostly shrubs to small ones. However, there are some notable exceptions, such as rose bushes or willow. This lattice shape is found in fruit trees. The tree is formed from a vertical main trunk and inclined lateral branches located symmetrically on either side of the trunk.

The tree is formed from a short trunk, the upper part of which emerges horizontally and symmetrically with two short horizontal branches. These recent forms were created as their name suggests for apple and pear trees. On a short chest, two branches, symmetrically located on both sides, are drawn to give them a pear or apple shape. The advantage of these types of sizes, besides their aesthetic appearance, is the small size of the tree. Disadvantage: These measurements must be done every year and cannot be improvised.

For proper and timely care, willow will thank you with its amazing flowering. It is worth fighting not only with branches, but also with diseases and various pests.

Let's get treatment!

If you decide to grow something in your garden that cannot be seen in everyone, then Pendula goat willow is ideal for you. Diseases and pests are the only thing that can mar cultivation, but diseases can also be combated.

Medicines from willow

They ask the gardener about technique and experience. This type of size also offers the advantage, once you master the technique, of installing a fruit tree in a small space, reduced yard, balcony or terrace, well lit. Will be painted, a young willow leaf "Hakuro Nishiki".

Most often "Hakuro Nishiki" will be considered as a bush on a trunk, which is a shrub of a vigorous growing species of willow. They then take the form of miniature trees. But when we make a purchase, let's determine the height that suits us best. Let's not be fooled by the growth of the site, because after grafting willow onto it, it is no longer happy and will remain as high as the day of purchase. The Japanese willow will certainly grow and it will reach a crown of up to 3 meters in diameter.

Let's look at what pests and diseases willow is exposed to:

1. Willow leaf roller. Harms the tree at the larval or caterpillar stage. To get rid of the insect, you can spray the willow with chemicals that are available for sale in specialized stores.
2. Flower fly. First you need to find the place where the larvae live. Remove the top layer of soil; if they are located there, you will immediately find them. You can remove flies by watering the soil with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. If it doesn’t help, then insecticides will come to the rescue.
3. Powdery mildew. This is a representative of a fungal disease that reproduces at a high rate. Bad leaves need to be removed promptly. You can spray with a drug whose action is aimed at combating fungal diseases. It is recommended to replace part of the soil under the tree.
4. Black spot. To avoid it, you need to reduce the contact of leaves with water. It is sometimes difficult to do this outdoors, so choose places where the breeze will constantly blow on the willow. Timely weeding and removing debris under the tree helps combat black spots.

Finally

I would like to say that it is not in vain that many people choose and master planting and caring for such an amazing and beautiful plant as Pendula goat willow. Reviews show that the tree is in demand and is considered the most unpretentious. Don't be afraid either. Buy, grow and enjoy your willow!

Of course, as long as we want, it can be very interesting to mold this plant according to our needs and tastes. Due to its special beauty, the willow "Hakuro Nishiki" would be best displayed as a solitaire plant, for example in a lawn or perhaps planted among the greenery of other plants. Willows are red and red, and the leaves are multicolored. Young spring leaves are white to greenish in color, but over time they change color to white and green, and they remain for most of the season. The bases are very small and appear at the turn of March and April, before the leaves.

It is very beautiful to have a decorative tree in the garden, which is its accent. Such a tree can be a weeping willow. It can be both an element of the garden, decorating a flower garden, and a canopy under which benches are located.

Description of the plant

There are many forms of wood in nature. They come in both huge species and small shrubs. We have about 100 of them growing.

Planting and care

Once the flowering is over, we can start shaping it. A thorny form of Japanese willow, formed by several cuttings per season. It also does not tolerate excessive drying, so be sure to water frequently. To make our task easier, we can remove the soil around the base of the trunk. Such treatment will not only reduce water evaporation, but also the development of weeds. Since Japanese willow likes to have more moisture in the air, it is recommended to scratch the leaf occasionally.

Willow "Hakuro Nishiki" does not require exceptional soil, but has fairly high nutritional requirements. Therefore, it is very important to fertilize Japanese willow regularly. For this purpose we can use compost, and if we do not have it, ready-made mixtures such as using mineral fertilizers, but do not forget to periodically replenish them with organic fertilizer.

Willow is interesting for its decorative properties. It has a through and transparent crown, which reaches 25 meters. The trunk is strong with gray bark. At first, the crown of the tree has a columnar shape, which over time becomes spreading and wide. The branches are thin and very flexible. Their bark can be light, green, or purple. The shoots are directed upwards, and the side shoots hang down. Petiolate leaves are alternately located on them. The leaf shape is elliptical; some species are characterized by being long and narrow. The color of the foliage is dark green, the bottom is lighter or bluish. The flowers are inconspicuous in the form of earrings. Their flowering begins before the growth of foliage in early spring. The fruit is formed in the form of a box with small seeds, pubescent on top. They are capable of being transported by wind over long distances.

In general, Hakuro Nishiki will be quite resistant to snowstorms, although in extreme harsh winters he may sometimes get wet. In winter we should not cover it, except for young people whose vaccination should be covered in winter. In young willows, during the first 2-3 years of cultivation, it is advisable to provide a place for vaccination in winter, since this part of the plant is most sensitive to frost in the first years of growth.

Video review - willows in landscape design

In the first year we cut very hard, about 20 cm or several meshes long, and later cuts depend on how large the crown we want to get. Just keep in mind that it is not too big for the trunk created by the pad, as winds can easily bend the tree. Let's not go too far from the previous cut. The crown should grow gradually and fairly evenly. We make sharp contractions, right above the eye. Under the eyes, our naked willows will show unmistakably exposed pieces of hair.

Growing a tree

Willow is grown in a place open on all sides, which has neutral or slightly acidic, high-humus loamy soil.

The tree does not particularly like excessive moisture. If the soil around it is too wet, the roots will slow down their development. This, of course, is reflected on the surface of the tree. Willow has enough natural precipitation, so it does not need to be watered additionally. The exception would be a prolonged drought. During these periods, watering is allowed once every 10 days. It is advisable to spray the tree crown using sprayers at the same time as watering.

Special care for standard plants

The willow itself does not form a compact, slender sphere and will create a very loose crown with slightly overhanging stems. So, just like it grows in nature. Of course, it can be this way, but then quite often it spreads from the leaves of parts of the tops. It has completely "fragile" fragments, and when gems like these are larger, the crown loses much of its appeal.

Forming a regular round crown naturally requires a little practice and time. But you certainly don't have to deal with the first failures because after 4 weeks you will be able to correct all the mistakes. All season, until August. Then we will try to cut the willow one last time, so that before winter comes we have the opportunity to be reborn and prepare for rest.

In order for the tree to develop well, it is provided with proper feeding. Rotted organic matter is used. It is brought in along with digging up the tree trunk ring. It is recommended to apply a bucket of organic matter and up to 100 grams of mineral fertilizer per plant. Willow is fed in spring and autumn.

For the first four years, the willow is not touched. In subsequent years, it is recommended to prune the willow in order to shape it. If this is not done, the crown becomes sparse and not dense, causing the decorative appearance to be lost. This raises the question, how to prune willow correctly? Let's look at this using examples of the most common types of wood in our country.

Common types of willow and their pruning

The tree tolerates pruning well. It is carried out after the plant grows about a meter. All shoots are cut to 30 centimeters. Usually it is better to carry out the procedure in the spring. Trees that are actively growing are also pruned in the summer. And so, in the summer, only dead shoots are removed. As a result of pruning, the willow tree becomes attractive, and its bark thickens.

Most often, the following species are grown in our parks and require special formative pruning:

1. White willow. Frost-resistant powerful species with a shapeless crown. It is formed by straight branches, with extending drooping shoots. The tree forms a crown on its own, but due to uneven growth it can break, so it is formed in the early stages. Pruning helps distribute branches evenly. For this purpose, a young tree is cut into a stump so that pronounced shoots are formed.

The tree is formed as a standard tree. The main trunk is left and all buds that form below two meters are removed. The excess ones located above are removed evenly. Once you have the tree's skeleton properly formed, minor pruning will be needed later.

To grow a tree with spectacularly colored shoots, you need to prune it every year into a stump, or into a standard. Its height will vary from half a meter to one and a half meters, it all depends on the desired effect.

The shape and height of pruning are established in the early stages, since adult specimens react poorly to large wounds, because these places are subject to infection with rot, and hollows form there.

If it is necessary to remove dangerously located large branches from a tree, then the procedure should be performed by a professional; if a similar situation occurs again, it is better to cut off the old tree and plant young trees. White willow is considered the largest species

1. Goat willow. Frost-resistant tree with an umbrella-shaped crown. This species is compact and slow growing. In the spring, it forms many male earrings. Mostly weeping standard trees are sold. They are a cultivated form that is grafted onto a cleaned stem. Its height is on average 1.5 meters. This species does not require pruning in order to form a crown; it is enough to simply trim it so that it does not thicken and fall to the ground.

During maintenance annual pruning, half the branches are removed, creating airy foliage. These shoots will grow to the ground at the end of the growing season. It is also necessary to thin out the branches in the middle of the crown, so that an end-to-end canopy in the form of an umbrella is formed. Next, the side shoots that are located from the outside are removed. The remaining branches are shortened to half the size. In the spring, when active growth of shoots begins, all traces of pruning will be disguised. All buds that appear in areas below the graft must be removed.

1. Mourning willow. This is a conical frost-resistant species. It is a hybrid of white willow and Babylonian willow. Interesting with bright green foliage and yellow shoots.

In young animals, they try to form a strong trunk with horizontally located branches. They can withstand a stem height of 1.5 to 2 meters. As the willow grows, the central shoot is shortened so that the crown expands and acquires a weeping appearance. Over the years, the tree grows in height due to individual shoots directed upward, but they gradually begin to droop over the course of the year. They should not be removed, since direct growth is a temporary phenomenon. Every year a new shoot will appear, which is why the crown gradually becomes cascading. When the tree is fully formed, there will be little pruning. It is necessary to thin them out so that light and air can get inside the plant. This strengthens the side branches, their weight gradually increases as the crown grows in width. Deep pruning does not work well on willow.

We love this breed very much. Willow prefers moist soils and is considered one of the best decorations for ponds. It tolerates cutting well and is perfect for hedges. Some representatives of willow are popularly called willow. Since ancient times, flowering willow branches have been considered a symbol of spring and the main attribute of the Palm Sunday holiday.

The genus and its representatives

Olga Nikitina

Genus Willow (Salix) belongs to the willow family and has more than 600 species. These are dioecious plants that are very diverse in appearance and biological characteristics; they can be large spreading trees or small squat shrubs. They are widespread, growing both in the Arctic and in arid regions.

Willow has buds with one integumentary scale in the form of a sheath or cap. The leaf arrangement is regular, with the exception of and. purple, the leaves of which are arranged obliquely opposite. The leaves are entire, without lobes, from narrowly lanceolate to broadly elliptic.

Male and female flowers are collected in short earrings. The male flower consists of a bract, whole, with hairs, scales and from 2 to 12 stamens. There are one or two nectaries at the base of the bracts. Unlike poplars, willows are insect-pollinated plants, and nectaries serve to attract insects. The female flower consists of the same bract scales, at the base of which there is a pistil with one or two nectaries. Such male and female flowers are strung on the axis of the earring.

The willow fruit is a bivalve capsule that cracks almost to the base. The seeds are few, small, with a thick white tuft. They ripen in May and do not have a dormant period - when they fall into the ground, they immediately germinate.

Willow wood has a well-defined heartwood and sapwood. Willows find a very diverse use in the national economy, they are used to produce wood, tannins and other chemical products, the branches are raw materials for wicker weaving, fiber from the bark is also used, and willow is also an early honey plant. Many species are used for forest reclamation, as well as in green construction, where they are used as tapeworms, in groups and groves (especially in valley parks), along the banks of reservoirs, in row plantings along roads and water canals.

Most willows are frost-resistant and light-loving; they grow very quickly, but live relatively short-lived, up to 60–80 years. They are undemanding to soil, but prefer well-moistened nutritious loams.

Willows are propagated by sowing seeds and stem cuttings without leaves, that is, winter ones. Small seeds lose their viability within 10 days after they ripen. The exception is and. five-stamen, the seeds of which fall in the fall and remain viable under the snow until spring. Therefore, willows are mainly propagated by cuttings, with the exception of and. sulfur and i. goat

When planting willows, it is necessary to take into account the speed of their growth. In groups, plants are placed at a distance of 0.6–2 m from each other (depending on the species). Since soil subsidence occurs after planting, it is necessary to plant at a depth at which the root ball is 10–20 cm higher than recommended. Soils can be different: sandy, swampy, not very fertile and even gravelly.

As a top dressing for weak growth in the spring, you can add nitroammophoska (60–80 g/m2). In hot weather, it is recommended not only to water, but also to spray, especially moisture-loving species. In the first two to three years after planting, standard forms should wrap the trunk with burlap in one or two layers.

Willows are quite difficult to study. Their genus is very numerous, and in nature many spontaneous hybrids are formed, which can be very difficult to identify. And if you add decorative forms, then it is very difficult to navigate such a variety of types and decorative forms. Modern dendrology divides the extensive genus of Willow into sections, which unite species that are similar in their morphological and ecological properties. Let's try to figure this out using taxonomy.

Most willows are frost-resistant and light-loving; they grow very quickly, but live relatively short-lived, up to 60–80 years.

SectionAlba Borr.

Has the largest dimensions And. white(S. alba), reaching a height of up to 30 m and having a trunk with a diameter of 1.5 to 3 m. Forms a very beautiful wide tent-shaped crown. This species occupies a fairly wide range: in the European part from the Caucasus and Crimea to Pskov, Kirov and Perm; in the Asian part - Western Siberia to the Yenisei and to Bukhara in the south, along the floodplains of rivers in Kazakhstan. This willow received its specific name for its graceful lanceolate leaves with silvery-white pubescence underneath. It grows quickly, in favorable conditions (floodplains) at 20 years of age reaches a height of 20 m. After felling it produces abundant, fast-growing shoots. It usually does not produce root suckers.

Amazes with its unusual appearance And. Matsudana(S. matsudana) originally from China and Korea. Slender tree up to 10–13 m high or shrub. It has an openwork wide-pyramidal crown and a smooth, slightly runny trunk. This willow has a genetically inherent ability for its branches to wriggle, due to which the plant takes on a bizarre shape. This is caused by the fact that as they grow, the branches and trunks of i. Matsudana's progress is uneven. Young thin shoots are slightly pubescent, yellowish-olive, later glabrous, brown. The leaves are narrowly lanceolate, up to 10 cm long, long-pointed, obtuse at the base. Earrings up to 2 cm, bloom along with the blossoming of leaves. Growing and... Matsudana is fast, light-loving, and demanding of soil fertility and moisture. In the forest zone it is not winter hardy enough. It has fairly deep roots and easily copes with drought on its own. In central Russia, it is recommended to cover plants for the winter, since the branches of this type of willow can freeze slightly, but in the spring they quickly grow and by the end of summer they grow up to 2 m without losing their decorative appearance.

Section Fragilis C. Koch.

Has a wide distribution area And. brittle(S. fragilis), it grows throughout the territory of the former USSR, with the exception of the Arctic zone, Eastern Siberia and the Far East. A tree up to 25 m high, with a tent-shaped spherical crown, as if consisting of different volumes, and branches that are brittle at the joints (hence the specific name). The shoots are bare, shiny, olive green, slightly reddish.

The leaves are large, lanceolate, dark green, shiny above, light green, bluish below. The edge of the leaf is glandular-toothed, the tip of the leaf is retracted and often folded to one side. It grows quickly, is frost-resistant, and is used for afforestation of river banks, ponds, canals, dams, and along roads.

Willow five-stamen, or laurel leaf(S. pentandra), grows almost everywhere, with the exception of Crimea and the Far North. It received its first name for the five stamens in the male flower, and the second for the similarity of the leaves to laurel. This tall shrub or small tree, 12–15 m high, has an ovoid, rather dense crown. The leaves are up to 13 cm long, short-pointed at the top, rounded at the base, with a characteristic shine. It grows slowly, reaching a height of 4–5 m by 12–15 years.

SectionDaphnoides Dumort.

Holly willow,red shell,willow(S. acutifolia), occupies a vast range from the forest-tundra to the Black Sea region and Ciscaucasia, Western Siberia, the western part of Eastern Siberia, Central Asia (along the sandy banks of rivers). The red branches of this willow are a symbol of spring and Palm Sunday. It can grow as a tall shrub up to 5 m high or a small tree 8–10 m high. The branches are drooping, brown-red or bright red, with an easily erased bluish bloom. The leaves are linear-lanceolate, 8–15 cm long, glabrous, dark green above, shiny, bluish below. It blooms early, before the leaves appear (March–April). In the first year it grows slowly, then quite quickly. It has a well-developed root system, the lateral roots grow up to 20 m in length, which allows it to be used to strengthen loose sand (shelling). This type of willow is very frost and drought resistant.

Section Capreae Bluff. et Fingerh.

Perhaps, And. goat(S. caprea) is more widespread than other willows. It grows everywhere from the Arctic to the Alpine belt in the mountains, found almost throughout Europe and Asia, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, but mainly in the forest zone. A small tree 6–10 m high, with a rounded, densely leafy crown, or less often a tall shrub. Young shoots are grayish-pubescent. The leaves are broadly ovate, large, up to 10–18 cm long. Young leaves are completely pubescent, adult leaves are dark green above, wrinkled, bare, grayish below, felt-like. Stipules are kidney-shaped, falling off early. It blooms before the leaves bloom, an excellent honey plant. Goat willow is very frost-resistant and grows quickly. It reproduces well by seeds, root suckers, and decorative forms by grafting. When propagated by cuttings, they should be treated with growth substances and placed in the “Fog” system, which creates 100% air humidity.

This section includes And. gray(S. cinerea) And And. eared(S. aurita), growing in swampy places, grassy swamps and damp mixed forests.

Section Viminalis Bluff. et Fingerh.

The section combines trees and shrubs with twig-like, flexible shoots and long narrow lanceolate leaves. Many types have great decorative and economic value (weaving baskets and furniture).

Purple willow (S.purpurea) is a typical shrub with thin flexible shoots, sometimes with a bluish bloom at the base. The habitat is the middle and southern zone of Russia. The leaves sit obliquely on the shoot, greenish-gray, oblanceolate, with a spine at the apex. The anthers in male flowers are not yellow, but purple, hence the specific name of the species. This willow makes an excellent rod for weaving.

Russian willow(S. rossica) – a larger species, very similar to and. purple, but is distinguished by narrow-lanceolate leaves, the length of which is 20 times greater than the width, the edge of the leaf is bent inward. The leaves are bare above, intensely green, with satiny-shiny pubescence below, the hairs are arranged transversely. The branches are long, flexible, very graceful. Russian willow grows throughout the European part of Russia, except Crimea, and in the Far East, where it is confined to river floodplains.

In addition to the species discussed above, this section also includes those widely distributed in Russia. And. rod-shaped(S.viminalis),And. Schwerin(S. schwerini),And. Caspian(S. caspica).

Willows are quite difficult to study. Their genus is very numerous, and in nature many spontaneous hybrids are formed, which can be very difficult to identify.

White willow ‘Pendula’
White Willow ‘Tristis’
Gray willow

Iwa Matsuda
Purple willow
Hairy willow

Willow wholeleaf ‘Hakuro Nishiki’ Willow brittle
Willow five-stamen

Willow diseases

Ella Sokolova

Willow is widely used in the creation of protective forest belts and industrial plantations, for strengthening the banks of canals, slopes, dams and in landscaping. However, infectious diseases often lead to a decrease in its protective functions, the release of high-quality and industrial material in nurseries and plantations, and loss of decorative value in urban plantings. The most common and dangerous diseases for willow are fungal diseases.

Leaf diseases

This group includes different types of diseases that affect leaves and young shoots. Massive damage to the crown leads to premature drying and falling of leaves, a decrease in the protective functions and decorativeness of willow, and weakening of young plants. The main sources of infection are fallen infected leaves.

Powdery mildew [causative agent – ​​fungus Erysipheadunca(= Uncinulaadunca)]. Various types of willow are affected. In the first half of summer, a white powdery coating appears on both sides of the leaves, consisting of mycelium (mycelium) and sporulation of the pathogen, which infects the leaves throughout the summer. At the end of July, the fruiting bodies of the fungus form on the mycelium in the form of small, initially yellow, later black, numerous dots. Often the fruiting bodies cover most of the surface of the leaves, as a result of which they acquire a dirty gray color. In winter, fruiting bodies are stored on fallen, diseased leaves. In spring, bags with sacospores ripen in them, which carry out the primary infection of young leaves.

Rust(the causative agent is a fungus Melampsora salicina). Various types of willow are affected, as well as currants and larch. Willow infection occurs in early summer by spores that form on currant leaves or larch needles. In the first ten days of July, numerous highly powdery yellow or orange pads appear on the underside of willow leaves, which are clusters of spores (pustules). With the active development of the disease, pustules completely cover the surface of the leaves. At the end of summer, the overwintering stage of the pathogen forms on the upper side of the affected leaves in the form of numerous yellowish-brown, slightly convex scabs measuring 1–1.5 mm, which swell greatly when moistened. Warm, humid weather promotes rust development.

Brown spot [causative agent – ​​fungus Monostichellasalicis(= Glo-eosporiumsalicis)]. Different types of willow are affected, but more often - and. white ( Salixalba) and and. holly ( S.acutifolia). In early July, very small, slightly convex, round brown, dark brown or almost black spots appear on the upper side of the leaves. Sporulation of the fungus develops on the spots in the form of small light flat formations, clearly visible against a dark background. With severe development of the disease, the spots almost completely cover the surface of the leaves.

Black spot (the causative agent is a fungus Rhytismasalicinum). Various types of willow are affected. At the end of summer, black, shiny, very convex spots of round or irregular shape, up to 1.5 cm in diameter, often surrounded by a yellow border, appear on the upper surface of the leaves. In autumn, fruiting bodies of the pathogen are formed in the thickness of the spots, which ripen on fallen leaves in the spring of next year. At the beginning of summer, bags with sacospores are formed in the fruiting bodies, which infect the leaves.

Blackish spotting [causative agent – ​​fungus Pseudocercosporasalicina(= Cercosporasalicina)]. Various types of willow are affected. In the second half of summer, numerous blackish spots of irregular shape appear on both sides of the leaves. With severe development of the disease, the spots merge, completely covering the surface of the leaves, which at the same time acquire a characteristic dirty black color. On the spots on both sides, sporulation of the pathogen forms in the form of small dark turf.

Scab, or blackening of leaves and shoots [causative agent – ​​fungus Venturiasaliciperda(= Pollacciasaliciperdum saliciperda)]. Different types of willow are affected, but more often - and. white, i. ashen ( S.cinerea), And. goat ( S.caprea). The first signs of the disease are detected in the spring, soon after the crown has completely leafed out. On the upper side of the leaves and on young shoots, sporulation of the pathogen forms in the form of a dark olive, almost black velvety coating. Affected shoots and leaves quickly turn black and die. In this case, diseased shoots bend and leaves droop. Blackened, bent shoots with shriveled, hanging, blackened leaves are a characteristic sign of the disease. The fungus overwinters in the form of mycelium (mycelium) in affected shoots and on fallen leaves. Intensive development of scab is facilitated by large amounts of precipitation in the spring and summer.

Willow rust infection occurs in early summer by spores that form on currant leaves or larch needles.

Necrotic diseases of trunks and branches

Diseases of this group affect the bark, phloem, cambium and outer layers of wood. With long-term damage on trunks and thick branches, cancerous wounds form in place of necrotic areas. Necrosis diseases lead to weakening and drying out of trees in a relatively short period. The development of necrosis diseases is often facilitated by the preliminary weakening of trees caused by various unfavorable environmental factors.

Waltz (cytospore) necrosis [causative agent – ​​fungus Valsasordida(= Cytosporachrysosperma)]. Various types of willow are affected in nurseries, willow plantations, forest and urban plantings. Characteristic signs of the disease appear in the spring. During this period, in areas with dead bark, sporulation of the pathogen is formed in the form of numerous small conical tubercles protruding from breaks in the bark as black-gray discs. Mature spores emerge on the surface of the bark in the form of golden-red drops or thin spirals. Massive sporulation of the fungus can also be observed in autumn. Foci of waltz necrosis, as a rule, develop against the background of preliminary weakening of trees.

Plagiostomal (diplodin) necrosis [causative agent – ​​fungus Plagiostomasalicellum(= Diplodinamicrosperma)]. Various species of willow are affected, including: i. white, i. goat, etc. ashy, etc. rod-shaped, or basket-shaped ( S.viminalis), And. holly . The disease is widespread in nurseries, willow plantations and in plantings of various categories. In spring, the affected areas of the bark acquire a red-brown color; later they darken and become bluish-gray, clearly standing out against the background of healthy bark. The affected bark quickly dies and turns yellow. In its thickness, sporulation of the pathogen is formed in the form of numerous small black tubercles protruding from the breaks in the periderm with yellowish peaks. Mature spores emerge on the surface of the bark in the form of grayish or grayish-pink nodules with a diameter of 1–1.5 mm. The disease develops very quickly and can cause drying out of young plants in one growing season.

Nectria necrosis [causative agent – ​​fungus Nectriacinnabarina(= Tuberculariavulgaris)]. Various types of willow are affected. The fungus is more often found as a saprotroph on the bark of dead trunks and branches. However, it can attack weakened but viable trees, accelerating weakening and drying out. A characteristic sign of the disease is the sporulation of the pathogen that forms on the dead bark. They look like numerous round or oval bright pink, pinkish-red or brick-red pads measuring 1–2 mm, protruding from breaks in the bark. Often the sporulation completely covers the affected parts of the trunks and branches, giving them a pinkish-reddish color. Nectria necrosis poses the greatest danger to young plants in nurseries and willow plantations.

The development of necrosis diseases is often facilitated by the preliminary weakening of trees caused by various unfavorable environmental factors.

Rot of trunks and roots

Rot diseases usually affect trees over 40 years of age. The causative agents of rot are predominantly wood-destroying xylotrophic fungi. Due to the decomposition of the wood of the trunks and roots, affected trees have reduced resistance to wind, which leads to windfall and windfall. Sick trees are infested with stem pests, which accelerate their weakening and drying out. In urban plantings, trees affected by rot pose a great danger to the population, buildings, and transport.

White heart-sapwood rot of trunks and roots . The causative agent is the flat tinder fungus ( Ganodermaapplanatum). The fungus is found on growing trees, dead wood, dead wood and stumps. Rot develops in the butt part of the trunks, rising to a height of up to 3 m, and in the roots. The widest distribution of the flat tinder fungus is observed in areas with high recreational load, where trees are more susceptible to mechanical damage.

White heart rot of trunks. The causative agent is the false tinder fungus ( Phellinusigniarius). The fungus is widespread on growing trees in forest and urban plantings. Rot develops in the lower and middle parts of trunks at a height of 2 m or more.

Red-brown heart rot of trunks . The causative agent is the sulfur-yellow tinder fungus ( Laetiporussulphureus). The fungus affects growing trees in different categories of plantings. Prismatic cracked rot develops in the lower part of the trunk, rising to a height of 5–8 m or more.

Yellowish-white heart rot of trunks . The causative agent is the willow polypore, or Phellinus conchaeta [ Phellinopsisconchata(= Phellinusconchatus)]. The fungus is widespread in plantings of various categories on growing and dead trees. Rot develops in the middle and upper parts of the trunks.

Protecting willow from diseases includes preventive and exterminatory measures:

• systematic surveillance of the emergence and spread of diseases during the period from leaf bloom to autumn;
• the use of healthy planting material to create plantings that does not have signs of disease or pest damage;
• creating optimal conditions for the growth and development of plants, preventing their weakening and increasing resistance to diseases;
• timely pruning of dried branches and removal of individual drying and dead trees with their subsequent destruction;
• destruction of sources of infection (fallen infected leaves and shoots) in nurseries, willow plantations and urban plantings by burning or treating with eradicating fungicides;
• preventive spraying with fungicides in areas of leaf diseases and necrosis during the period from full leaf opening to September.

Willow pests

Tamara Galaseva, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences

Several hundred species of insects and herbivorous mites can develop on different types of willow, many of which are polyphagous (they also feed on other types of trees). Among the pests of willow there are many species of oligophages that also damage poplar. Insects and mites feed on all ground organs of the plant. Based on the damage they cause, they are divided into the following environmental groups.

Leaf-eating insects

Insects that feed on buds, flowers, leaves and green shoots are classified as leaf-eaters. They are quite numerous and are represented by species of various families of butterflies, sawflies and beetles. Pests feed from early spring until the end of summer. Leaves are damaged by caterpillars of butterflies from many families: corydalis, moths, cocoon moths, hawk moths, cutworms, moths, leaf rollers, nymphalids, moths and some others. They eat holes in the leaves or eat them whole.

Foci of mass reproduction of some polyphagous pests: willow moth, gypsy moth, winter moth and moth, willow spider moth - periodically occur in mixed plantings with the participation of willow.

Willow ermine moth caterpillars ( Yponomeuta rorellus) eat willow leaves, first entwining them with cobwebs. During mass reproduction, branches, trunks and nearby vegetation are completely shrouded in a veil of cobwebs, among which the caterpillars of the pest pupate.

The leaves are skeletonized mainly by small insects - their larvae, which are not able to bite through the hard veins of the leaf blades. These include small species of leaf beetles and sawflies. Larger species of these families eat holes of various shapes in leaves or eat entire leaves.

Sawfly (false caterpillar) larvae are usually naked, with 7–8 pairs of abdominal legs. Their body coloration is varied, often with black or bright yellow spots and stripes. Many species usually feed in groups; Having eaten the leaves on one branch, they crawl to another. Several dozen species of sawflies are known on willows. The most common species are: willow sawfly ( Nematus salicis), poplar sawfly ( Nematus pavidus), aspen oblate sawfly ( Staronetmatus compressicornis). The listed species give two (less often three) generations during the growing season. The leaves of the willow slimy sawfly larvae skeletonize ( Caliroa varipes).

Sawfly larvae ( Janus luteipes) gnaw passages in the core of the shoots, causing them to die.

Beetles and larvae of several species of leaf beetles from the genera feed on leaves. Plagiodera, Chalcoides, Phratora etc. The elytra of many species of leaf beetles are brightly colored, with or without spots, sometimes with a metallic sheen, green, blue or blue-green. Leaf beetle larvae are campodiform with three pairs of thoracic legs, greenish-green or dark gray with bright small spots or warts on the body from which a strong-smelling liquid protrudes. Leaf beetles and their larvae feed in the spring and throughout the summer. Form from one to three replenishments. The eggs are laid on the underside of the leaves, where the larvae subsequently develop. They usually pupate in the soil. Some small species of leaf beetles can jump because they have thick thighs on their hind legs. Jumping species include the widespread poplar metal flea beetle ( Chalcoides fulvicornis).

Leaves are eaten from the edges by weevils, for example Chlorophanus viridis. The leaves are rolled into a tight tube by tubeworm beetles from the genus Byctiscus.

Foci of mass reproduction of some polyphagoid pests periodically occur in mixed plantings with the participation of willow.

Sucking pests

Sucking pests suck juices from buds, leaves, shoots, branches and even trunks. More than a hundred species of such insects and herbivorous mites are known on willows, including coccids (scale insects, false scale insects, mealybugs), leafhoppers, and psyllids.

Most sucking pests are small and inconspicuous. They can be detected by sugary (sticky) secretions that cover leaves and shoots and attract ants to trees.

Among aphids on willows, monoecious species predominate, living in large colonies on the leaves and bark of thin branches and stems. Damaged small shoots become bent and sometimes dry out. Aphids cause the greatest damage to young plants. One of the widespread species of aphids is the willow shoot aphid ( Clavigerus salicis). It is found on narrow-leaved willow species.

On the territory of Russia, more than 35 species of coccids have been registered on willows, most of which are found in plantations of the Crimea, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Far East.

The most common and widespread species are polyphagous pests: willow scale ( Chionaspis sAlicis), Californian scale insect ( Quadraspidiotus perniciosus ), birch cushion ( Pulvinaria betulae), willow false scale insect ( Eulecanim longisetum), and acacia false scale ( Parthenolecanium coruin).

In some years, spider mites of the genus Schizotetranychus , which suck juices from leaves, feeding on the underside of leaf blades. A high number of mites leads to early yellowing and falling of leaves.

Curvature of the shoots is caused by sap-feeding fronds (see Fig. Cercopidae). The larvae of the pest are covered with an abundant transparent foamy mass that protects it from drying out. Foamy discharge is especially noticeable at the beginning of summer; it stops at the end of the larva's life.

Gall formers

Gall formers - insects and herbivorous mites - form galls of various shapes, sizes and colors on leaves and other plant organs. All types of gall formers are monophages. Several dozen species are known - these are various small sawflies, gall midge flies, gall flies and mites. Pest larvae develop inside the gall.

Most often, on narrow-leaved willow species, kidney-shaped, thick-walled, reddish-green galls of the thick-walled willow sawfly ( Pontania proxima), and on broadleaf willows there are round bare reddish galls of the willow berry sawfly ( Pontania viminalis). Galls on shoots and branches, similar to a “witch’s broom” with thickened and shortened branches and leaves, are formed by a three-rayed mite ( Aceria triradidtus). Galls on leaf blades in the form of heads or warts, bare or hairy, sometimes very numerous, are formed by the willow gall mite ( Eriophyes tetanotrix).

One of the widespread species of aphids is the willow shoot aphid ( Clavigerus salicis). It is found on narrow-leaved willow species.

Miners

Miners are insects whose larvae feed on leaf tissue, making variously shaped tunnels in the thickness of the leaf blade or growing shoot. All miners are monophages. Minas can be light (whitish or yellowish) or brownish, narrow ribbon-shaped, wide in the form of spots of various sizes. There are about dozens of leaf-mining insect species known, these include weevils, small moths and leaf-mining flies.

More often you can find mines in the form of small oval brown spots, usually several of them on the leaf blade on its upper side - inside such a spot the larva of the willow elephant flea beetle develops ( Orchetes salisis).

Stem pests

Stem pests, or xylophagous insects, feed on bark, bast and wood of branches and trunks. These include beetles of the family of bark beetles, longhorned beetles, golden beetles, weevils, drills, grinders, some species of butterflies from the family of glass beetles, carpenter beetles and hymenoptera from the family of horntails and cyphidriids. About fifty species of stem pests on willows are known. Most of them settle on drying and withered trees, stumps and in the wood of felled trees.

The most harmful species are those that can colonize growing but weakened plants. These species include the willow root beetle ( Lamia textor), willow musk beetle ( Aromia moschata), narrow-bodied borers ( Agrilus lineola And A. aurichalceus) willow glass ( Aegeria crabroniformis) and weevil ( Crryptorhynchuslapati).

Willow in landscaping

Olga Nikitina

In the Central Russian landscape, willows look so harmonious that it is difficult to find a replacement for them. Their decorativeness, stability, ease of reproduction and high survival rate are much higher than those of their woody counterparts. However, today willow is underestimated in ornamental gardening and landscape design.

Usage

Willows are valued for their species and varietal diversity, beautiful crown shapes, original and early spring flowering, interesting coloring of bark and shoots. They can be admired at any time of the year; willows allow you to create interesting compositions in gardens and city parks.

A classic example of the use of willows in landscape design is the decoration of the banks of reservoirs with willow trees or shrubs. On uneven banks with ledges, weeping willows look especially impressive, the branches of which descend to the water itself and are beautifully reflected in the water surface, as in a mirror. If you place a bench nearby, a garden or park pond will become a favorite place for relaxation and solitude.

Willows grafted onto a standard tree are especially popular. Such plants can decorate various corners of the garden, become a spectacular dominant feature against the backdrop of a neatly trimmed lawn, or form a picturesque group of willows with different stem heights.

An excellent material for hedges are shrubby willows, planted around the perimeter of the site or planted along paths. Caspian willow,And. Russian,And. purple,And. gray, Shaburov hybrid ‘Globular Dwarf’ They are perfectly trimmed and are able to realize any plan of a landscape designer, including protecting and decorating the area where they will be planted.

Depending on the growing conditions, willow companions can be various plants. Along the banks of reservoirs and ponds there are moisture-loving shrubs and herbaceous perennials (gray alder, hydrangeas, loosestrife, ferns). In less humid places, spirea, viburnum, elderberry and a huge variety of perennials can be planted in a composition with willows.

An excellent material for hedges are shrubby willows, planted around the perimeter of the site or planted along paths.

Types and varieties

It reaches its maximum dimensions, up to 30 m in height and up to 3 m in diameter. And. white. It is quite durable, living up to a hundred years under favorable conditions. It has been used in landscaping in Moscow since the 19th century. It has a number of decorative forms, which in central Russia are substitutes for the famous And. Babylonian, which is widely used in landscaping southern cities:

f. weeping(f. pendula hort.) – weeping crown, height up to 15 m, less frost-resistant than the main species;

f. yolk, or yellow (f.vitellinaStokes.), is a large tree with a rounded crown and golden yellow or yellowish-red branches and shoots. It is considered the most resistant to some soil salinity.

f. yolk,weeping (f. vitellina pendula Rehot.), - with a weeping crown shape and with yellow thin, very long (several meters) shoots, falling almost to the ground. Very decorative, the shape of the crown resembles and. Babylonian, reaches a height of 5 m;

f. silver(f. argentea Wimm.) - with leaves covered with silver-silk hairs on both sides.

Often found in natural parks and along the banks of reservoirs And. brittle. This tree, up to 25 m high, is distinguished by a tent-shaped crown and branches that are brittle at the joints (hence the species name). Such plants make expressive groups, but individual specimens also attract attention. In landscape design, the shrub form is especially valued. brittle with a dense spherical crown.

Iwa Matsudana was first brought from China to European parks in 1925. She captivated us with her intricately curved shoots, which give this willow an unusual appearance. But its variety has an even more exotic look ‘ T ortuosa ’ with serpentine-curved ascending olive-green shoots and leaves twisting into partial spirals, which landscape designers use in single plantings.

Very attractive with its shiny dark green foliage And. five-stamen, or laurel leaf, which grows in the form of a small tree with a dense ovoid crown. It received its specific name for the 5 stamens in the male flower. Suitable for planting along the banks of reservoirs and in groups in damp meadow areas of parks and forest parks.

Holly willow– one of the most undemanding species in terms of growing conditions. It is widely used in gardening and park construction, planted in group plantings, along forest edges, near ponds and in hedges. Norway willow is one of the best species for fixing shifting sands. Its decorative form with a weeping crown is very interesting.

Unpretentious and frost-resistant is perfect for the northern and middle forest zones. And. goat. Planted in groups along the edges, it looks very attractive especially during the flowering period,

however, catkins falling in large numbers heavily litter the lawn. Its varieties are of great interest: ‘ Pendula ’ – weeping form grafted onto a standard; ‘ Curly Locks ’ – with a widely spreading crown formed by twisted shoots.

Low And. purple famous for its original varieties: ‘ Pendula ’ – a form grafted onto a standard with purple weeping shoots and bluish-green leaves; ‘Gracilis Nana ’ – distinguished by silvery foliage and small bush sizes up to 1.5 m high; ‘ Purpurea ’ – with long stems covered with purple-brown bark and narrow lanceolate leaves.

Grows in floodplains And. Russian, its curved flexible shoots are decorated with graceful lanceolate leaves. A wonderful shrub that can transform natural and artificial reservoirs.

Looks very original And. whole leaf ‘Hakuro-nishiki’ with showy pale green leaves that are pink and white when young. In the conditions of the Moscow region it can freeze slightly, so it is better to cover it with lutrasil. Experienced gardeners recommend not covering this willow, but cutting the frozen branches very low in early spring. After this procedure, new shoots quickly grow.

Recently, willows selected by V.I. Shaburov, which are distinguished by frost resistance, unpretentiousness and high decorative qualities, have been in great demand among landscape designers. These varieties have already been tested by time - many of them are more than 50 years old; they thrive in areas with a climate that is risky for agriculture, while maintaining their decorative qualities. Here are some of these varieties: ‘Sverdlovskaya Izvilistaya 1’– a slender tree about 4 m high. Winding branches and shoots form a spherical or broadly oval, medium-density crown. ‘In memory of Mindovsky’- a slender tree, up to 7 m high, with a beautiful openwork wide-oval crown formed by thin, very long shoots. ‘Mayak 3’- an excellent twig willow, suitable for hedges and living sculptures. ‘Globular Dwarf’- a low tree, characterized by winter hardiness and a spherical crown shape. On the shore of a small garden pond it is worth planting a variety called ‘Weeping Gnome’. It is an exact copy of the weeping willow, only in small sizes, a very unusual and rare plant. A variety was bred in honor of the famous Ural storyteller ‘In memory of Bazhov’. A unique willow with two-color shoots, the lower part of which is yellow and the upper part is red. In winter, the visual effect of a blazing fire is created. During flowering in the spring, this willow is covered with a pink veil due to male catkins with pink anthers. And in summer, the tree is decorated with bluish-silver foliage, which looks especially picturesque against the backdrop of dark green spruce or fir trees.

Purple willow
Purple willow
White Willow ‘Tristis’

White Willow ‘Tristis’
Goat willow ‘Pendula’ Willow Mayak

The healing properties of willow

Marina Kulikova, Candidate of Biological Sciences

In 1828, Professor of the University of Munich I. Buchner obtained a substance from willow bark, which he named after the tree - salicin. Indeed, the Latin name of the genus Willow is Salix. Later, they learned to isolate salicylic acid from meadowsweet flowers, and then it was obtained chemically. But the history of the use of willow in medicine began four thousand years earlier.

Egyptian papyri mention the use of leaves And. white (Salix alba) for many diseases. Greek physician Hippocrates in the 4th century BC. e. recommended to his patients a decoction of willow bark to relieve pain, heat, and rheumatism. The Cherokee Indians of South America also valued the pain-relieving effects of willow bark. In the Middle Ages, Europeans used willow ash and juice to remove calluses and warts. In Europe in the 17th–18th centuries, willow infusion was used for colds and fever.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the chemical composition of willow bark was established. It contains a large amount of plant alkaloid - salicin (5-7% in white bark), as well as tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, mineral elements and vitamins.

The healing properties of willow bark have been compared to those of aspirin. The bark begins its work more slowly, but lasts longer and is less likely to cause side effects.

The most popular bark And. white, but in folk medicine they use the bark of other types of willows: And. goat (Salix caprea), And. holly (S. acutifolia), And. brittle (S. fragilis), And. tristamen (S. triandra), And. pentastamen (S. pentandra). Currently, willow bark is included in the European, British and American herbal pharmacopoeias, and is also part of officially registered homeopathic preparations. In the Russian Federation, willow is not a pharmacopoeial plant, but it can be purchased in a number of herbal pharmacies in the form of biological food additives in the form of powders, capsules, and dried bark.

The bark is collected from the trunks or branches of young trees in March–April, during the period of active sap flow. At this time it is easy to separate it from the wood. The bark is crushed and dried in well-ventilated areas, spread in a thin layer on paper. It is considered dried if, when you try to bend it, it breaks and does not bend. Store dried raw materials in canvas bags or paper bags for no more than two years. Willow bark is most often used in the form of decoctions.

Willow bark has anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, astringent, mild diuretic and anthelmintic properties. It is also used as a sedative and wound-healing agent, as well as for inflammatory bowel diseases as a means to remove toxins. Before the discovery of quinine, willow bark and its leaves were used as an antimalarial agent. A decoction of willow bark is also used externally: for rinsing for inflammatory diseases of the mouth and throat, for baths for excessive sweating and skin diseases.

But there are also contraindications when taking a decoction of willow bark. The drugs are not recommended for use by children and women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Taking a decoction of willow bark for severe viral infections, including influenza, is dangerous. Allergic reactions are also possible. Drinking willow bark infusion in large quantities can
cause stomach irritation and nausea. You should also not combine willow preparations with aspirin, cough medicines, blood pressure lowerers, diuretics, anti-seizure medications, or alcohol. Drinking bark decoction while taking anticoagulants may cause bleeding.

Recipes

For tonsillitis: take 1 tbsp. spoon of crushed willow bark, pour a glass of boiling water, boil for 30 minutes. Leave for 2 hours, strain. Gargle 3-4 times a day.

For hair loss and dandruff: take 2 tbsp. spoons of crushed willow bark, mixed with 2 tbsp. spoons of crushed burdock roots, pour 1 liter of boiling water. Boil for 30 minutes, leave for 1–2 hours. Wash your hair with the decoction 2 times a week.

For indigestion: 1 tbsp. mix a spoonful of willow bark with 1 tbsp. spoon of chamomile inflorescences. Pour 250 ml of boiling water over the collection and leave for 30 minutes. Drink in two doses, adding sugar to taste.