Trees We Care For: Willow Tree Care and Service Guide

Willows (Salix spp.) are a charming collection of plants that are represented by a staggering number of individual species. Depending on the authority consulted, the group contains between 350 and 500 species, with most of those being relatively small to medium-sized shrubs. However, the group does include a few proper trees, including several that are either native to Michigan or commonly planted by homeowners. 

To help you take care of any willows growing on your property (or ones you’re intending to plant), we’ll share the key features and care requirements of the most noteworthy species below.  

Michigan’s Willow Species

A variety of willow species can be found growing in Michigan, including both native and exotic species. We’ll detail each group separately, as some homeowners prefer planting native species, while others enjoy incorporating nonnative species in their gardens, lawns, and planters. 

Native Michigan Willow Species

There are approximately 20 to 25 willow species that call Michigan home — it’s difficult to determine the exact number, as arborists and dendrologists disagree about the exact classification of these species. Nevertheless, most of the confusion and conflict relate to the smaller, shrub-like species rather than those that reach tree-like proportions.  

Some of the most notable Michigan natives include:

• Black Willow (Salix nigra): The largest willow native to the U.S., the black willow usually has a true tree-like growth habit. A fast-growing species that often inhabits wetlands and riparian areas, it can reach 80 to 100 feet in height. 
• Peachleaf Willow (Salix amygdaloides): A tree found across most of the Great Plains and portions of Michigan, the peachleaf willow reaches about 50 feet in height. Unfortunately, like most willows, it is fast-growing and short-lived. 
• Shining Willow (Salix lucida): The shining willow can grow as a shrub or tree (particularly when a tree-like growth form is instilled through early pruning). Another species that prefers living in wetlands, shining willows can reach 30 to 40 feet in height.   
• Bebb Willow (Salix bebbiana): The Bebb willow typically grows as a large shrub, but it can also grow as a small tree, which is capable of reaching about 20 feet in height. Because it tolerates clay soils, it can be suitable for suburban lawns (when available commercially). 

Common Non-Native Willow Species in Michigan 

 In addition to our native species, there are at least four exotic species that are often planted in Michigan. These include:

• Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica or Salix × sepulcralis): Beloved for their pendulous branches, weeping willows are striking trees that instantly become the focal point for most yards. They’re available in several versions, but the hybrid form is most common in Michigan. 
• Dappled Willow (Salix integra ‘Hakuro Nishiki’): A pretty little willow tree reaching 10 to 20 feet in height, the ‘Hakuro Nishiki’ cultivar is often grown as a grafted tree, attached to the trunk of another willow species that provides stronger support. 
• White Willow (Salix alba): A European species, the white willow is a large tree that rivals the black willow in size. The white willow isn’t especially common in Michigan, but it is offered for sale at times and capable of adapting to our local climate.   
• Corkscrew Willow (Salix matsudana): Native to China and Korea, the corkscrew willow is named for its twisted trunk. This tree is actually considered a variety of the weeping willow by some, which can cause confusion for homeowners trying to identify it. 

How to Care for Your Willow Trees: A Michigan Homeowner’s Guide

No matter what kind of willow tree you have in your yard, you’ll need to provide it with proper care to ensure it thrives and looks its best. Each species requires slightly different growing conditions, so it’s important to research the specific needs of the species you have. 

However, there are several care practices that apply to the entire group.  

Choose a Good Planting Location

It’s important to choose a planting location that not only provides enough space for your willow tree, but also enough sun exposure. While there are a few willows that can survive in partial shade, the tree-like forms (including white, black, corkscrew, and weeping willows) need full sun exposure to thrive. 

It’s also important to understand that most willows have aggressive, widely spreading root systems, which can cause significant damage. So, it is generally wise to plant all tree-like willows at least 50 feet away from houses, driveways, sidewalks, and utility lines.  

Maintain a Layer of Mulch Beneath the Canopy

Almost every tree species in the world will benefit from a layer of mulch placed beneath the canopy. Mulch not only helps moderate soil temperatures and retain moisture, but it also provides organic material that effectively fertilizes the tree and improves the soil structure. 

Mulch also helps protect the roots and trunk from damage caused by mowers and string trimmers — one of the most common sources of mechanical damage trees suffer.  

Water Your Trees Appropriately

Most willows are water-loving trees that are naturally adapted to areas with high soil moisture levels. Some even grow best (and outcompete other species) in places that experience periodic floods. So, it is important to water your willows regularly — particularly during hot summers or droughts, and in the first few years following planting. 

Newly planted willows may need to be watered twice or thrice per week, while established individuals will likely only need supplemental water during dry summer weather. Just be sure that you’re saturating 12 to 18 inches of soil each time you water them to promote deep root development. 

Fertilize When Necessary

Fertilization is helpful for addressing the nutrient deficiencies that are common in urban and suburban soils. However, fertilizers should only be applied after conducting a soil test, so that you can identify and address the specific nutrient deficiencies at play. 

For the best results, you’ll generally want to use slow-release fertilizer to avoid “burning” your tree’s roots. 

Monitor Your Trees’ Health

It’s always important to monitor your trees vigilantly for any signs of pests, disease, or any other kind of trouble. This will give you the best chance of spotting trouble early, so that you can get the treatment it needs. 

And while this is important for all tree species, it’s especially important for willows, as they have very weak wood, which can present safety issues.   

Trimming & Pruning Willow Trees in Michigan

Like most other trees, willow trees will require pruning or trimming at different times in their lives. Some of the most common scenarios include:

• Structural Pruning While the Tree Is Young: It’s important to prune a tree during the first 2 to 5 years of its life to help establish proper form and prevent hazards in the future. This is typically best performed by a professional arborist, but homeowners can attempt this kind of pruning if desired. 
• Periodic Crown Cleanings: Crown cleanings are important for mid-aged to mature willows. Crown cleanings involve the removal of dead, dying, diseased, or decayed wood to keep the tree safe and support its ongoing health. Because crown cleanings take place in the canopy, they should be left to professional tree pruners. 
• Trimming to Maintain Clearance: In some cases, you may need to have willows trimmed to prevent them from growing against your home or presenting other clearance or accessibility issues. However, this kind of trimming can harm tree health, so it is best avoided whenever possible through proper site selection. 
• Crown Reduction to Maintain Size: Skilled arborists can often make strategic cuts within a tree’s canopy to reduce its size slightly without compromising the tree’s health. Often, this kind of pruning work is best accomplished over the course of several seasons, rather than a single pruning session. 

Common Willow Tree Problems in Michigan

Willow trees can experience a variety of problems, including some that may be treatable with an arborist’s help. A few of the most common willow tree issues include:

• Weak Wood and Poor Structure: One of the most common problems that willow trees present is their tendency to produce weak wood and have poor canopy structure. These issues won’t usually result in the tree’s death (at least not directly), but they can present safety issues for people, pets, and property.  
• Insects and Other Pests: A variety of insects can attack willow trees, including aphids, sawfly larvae, and various borers. Aphids generally won’t harm the tree, but they can support the growth of sooty mold. Sawfly larvae will skeletonize leaves, but this is generally a localized problem. Borers, on the other hand, may kill stressed trees. 
• Diseases: Willows are susceptible to canker diseases, which can create sunken, dead areas on the trunk or branches. Leaf blights and spots are also quite common, particularly in willows exposed to wet conditions or those suffering from poor airflow through the canopy. 
• Root Issues: Perhaps the most infamous problem associated with willows is their aggressive root systems, which often spread widely. This can cause surface-level problems, such as cracked or lifted hardscape, as well as utility line damage or foundation problems, when deeper roots cause problems.

If you notice any of these problems on your willows, be sure to contact the professionals at Treemendous Tree Care as soon as possible. One of our willow tree experts will visit your site, identify the problem, and outline any mitigation or treatment strategies that may help.  

Signs Your Willow Tree May Require Removal

Because they’re fast-growing trees that have weak wood and may present safety hazards, it’s critical that you monitor your willow trees for any of the following issues.   

• Cavities or Hollows: Cavities and hollows may serve as wildlife habitat and provide aesthetic charm, but they are often associated with significant internal decay, which can predispose your willow tree to failure.  
• Cracks: Cracks indicate that the wood fibers in your tree are already failing, setting the stage for dropped limbs or complete tree collapse.   
• Leaf Drop: While willows are deciduous trees that shed their leaves each fall, leaf drop can be a sign of trouble when it occurs in the spring or summer. 
• Discolored Foliage: Splotchy, spotted, or yellow leaves can be a clue of insect attack, fungal colonization, or bacterial infection, which puts your tree’s health at risk. 
• Increased Lean: Willow trees that begin leaning suddenly (rather than gradually, over the course of many years) are at high risk for collapse.   
• Mounding Soil: Mounding soil typically indicates that a tree’s roots have become compromised or that the soil has lost its structural integrity.  
• Fungi Near the Tree: Mushrooms or conks growing on or near a tree (particularly over the root zone) are a potential sign of decay that should be assessed.   

Remember: Many of these problems can be corrected if they’re addressed promptly. But whether they can be fixed or not, these types of issues should always be analyzed by a professional arborist, who can assess the level of risk they present and determine the best course of action. 

Treemendous Tree Care: Providing Willow Tree Care in Clinton Township, MI

Whether you have a single corkscrew willow growing in your yard or a dozen black willows, the professionals at Treemendous Tree Care can provide the tree-care services needed to keep them healthy and looking their best. Whether you’re in Macomb Township, Eastpointe, or anywhere in between, we are ready to provide the pruning, removal, or stump grinding services you need. 

Contact us today to see the Treemendous Tree Care difference yourself! 

Sources & References

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service – “Salix (Willow) Plant Profile”
  An official federal plant profile outlining classification, distribution, and general characteristics of willow species in the United States.
  https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/SALIX
• Michigan Technological University, School of Forest Resources & Environmental Science – “Willows (Salix spp.)”
  An educational forestry reference discussing willow species found in Michigan, including identification traits and habitat preferences.
  https://msaf.forest.mtu.edu/ForestInfo/Newspaper/071-0305.htm
• University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library – “Big Trees of Michigan: Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’”
  A historical and botanical record documenting notable large willow specimens in Michigan, with species-specific context and measurements.
  https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/mbot/0497763.0041.105/1/–big-trees-of-michigan-28-salix-matsudana-koidzumi-f-tortuosa?page=root;size=100;view=text