Willow is also called sparse tree, tea tree and April snow. Willow is a deciduous shrub or small tree, with a height of 20m, gray trunk and small pieces bursting. The bark of the big branches is often papery and flat, and the branchlets are pubescent when they are young. Simple leaves opposite, ovate to obovate-elliptic, entire or sometimes denticulate. Panicle is large and loose, with top branches and dioecious plants; The flowers are white, the corolla is United, the apex is divided into 4 pieces, and the flowers are wide and linear. It blooms in April-May and is slightly fragrant. Drupe ovoid, dark blue and black, mature in early autumn.
Willow is fond of light, drought-tolerant, shade-tolerant and waterlogging-resistant; Afraid of drought at flowering stage; It grows slowly and has a long life, and grows best in fertile and well-drained sunny areas.
Cultivation method of willow
Willow can usually be propagated by sowing or cutting. Willow seeds are usually sown in the autumn after harvest, or in the spring after sand storage. Willow cutting is usually carried out in the rainy season every year. You can choose thick branches and semi-mature branches that grow every year on tassel trees, cut them into 30cm, and then insert 1/2 into sandy loam. You need to pay attention to shade and ventilation, keep the soil moist, prevent high temperature sunburn and avoid water accumulation. When the willow cuttings take root, they can begin to receive some light in the morning and evening, and gradually increase the light time of the willow. Generally, after 3 years, willow seedlings can be transplanted in spring and autumn, and willow seedlings need soil balls. Pay special attention to the beautiful tree shape when cultivating. Proper pruning and topdressing of willows can make them flourish and produce beautiful flowers.
Shu makes bonsai.
You can dig old piles of wild willows. Generally, it is necessary to choose short, strange, ancient, colorful and bare-rooted willows, which can be dug up after the willow leaves fall and before germination. Cut short the main roots of willow, cut off some branches, and then put them in flowerpots for cultivation. After the willow survives, you can play with the willow with metal wires according to the shape and shape of the trunk.
Ye Sheng's tassels and branches are flourishing. In spring and summer, the trees are full of white flowers with long and narrow petals. It looks like a tassel and is very beautiful, so it is very suitable for planting around buildings or gardens. You can also choose the old pile to make a stump bonsai and put it on the balcony and indoors for viewing.
The tender leaves of willow can also be used to make tea instead of tea, which is delicious and cool, so people also call it willow tea tree. The fruit of willow is rich in oil, which can be used for oil extraction and industrial use. Willow wood is hard and brittle. It can be used to make furniture and electrical appliances. In horticulture, willow can be used as the rootstock for grafting osmanthus and clove.