Salix babylonica var. pekinensis 'Tortuosa'
Re: Salix Tortuosa
Shoot User
970 0
Hi Fiona,
It's usually best to wait until a new tree has been in the ground for a growing season before carrying out any significant formative pruning, as this allows it to settle and reduces shock levels.
So once it has been in the ground for a growing season and is in dormancy (so next autumn/ winter), to develop a clear trunk and crown you should remove the lower third of branches, and reduce the middle third to half. Repeat this for the next few years, until around year four/ five when a clear trunk should have developed.
In the meantime you should be removing any dead, diseased or damaged growth from throughout the tree.
Regular pruning of the crown will encourage the twisted growth that this tree is known for - as it is fairly fast growing it responds to this well.
Hope this helps! Remember to add to your 'plants I have' list to receive regular care and pruning instructions: Salix 'Tortuosa'.
Regards
Katy
It's usually best to wait until a new tree has been in the ground for a growing season before carrying out any significant formative pruning, as this allows it to settle and reduces shock levels.
So once it has been in the ground for a growing season and is in dormancy (so next autumn/ winter), to develop a clear trunk and crown you should remove the lower third of branches, and reduce the middle third to half. Repeat this for the next few years, until around year four/ five when a clear trunk should have developed.
In the meantime you should be removing any dead, diseased or damaged growth from throughout the tree.
Regular pruning of the crown will encourage the twisted growth that this tree is known for - as it is fairly fast growing it responds to this well.
Hope this helps! Remember to add to your 'plants I have' list to receive regular care and pruning instructions: Salix 'Tortuosa'.
Regards
Katy
Posted: Thursday 26th of August 2010 09:23 PM
Salix Tortuosa
Shoot User
970 1
I have just taken delivery of the Salix Tortuosa. It only has a 6inch trunk and 6 branches coming from that extending to 5ft. How do I shape it so the trunk grows taller, so it looks like a tree a child would draw? At the moment it looks like a strange shrub
Posted: Thursday 26th of August 2010 08:25 PM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 02:00 PM
846 0
hasnt worked for any of the cuttings i took an put in cube trays. they all have gone black and brown an look dead. i took 2 big 3 foot cuttings and they seem to be ok apart from one is black at the top and its creeping down the stem. i also put 3 cuttings in water an they all have roots now woop woop
Posted: Wednesday 28th of July 2010 09:13 PM
846 0
thanks for the tip Katy . i went an got some gritty compost and have taken about 50 cuttings hopefully some will grow . fingers crossed my first ever try at propagateing.
Posted: Tuesday 13th of July 2010 08:57 PM
Re: what is the best way to clone this?
Shoot User
846 1
Hi Jon,
Best to put it into some gritty compost. Come autumn you can plant it out into it’s permanent position. You should find success with this – Salix babylonica are quite easy to propagate.
Good luck!
Katy
Best to put it into some gritty compost. Come autumn you can plant it out into it’s permanent position. You should find success with this – Salix babylonica are quite easy to propagate.
Good luck!
Katy
Posted: Tuesday 13th of July 2010 03:44 PM
846 2
do i take a cutting and put root powder on it and plant it or do i take a cutting an leave it in a bottle of water until it grows roots then plant it ? any tips would be great .
Posted: Saturday 10th of July 2010 09:35 PM Last reply: Friday 14th of March 2025 07:05 PM
Winter interest
Shoot User
729 0
This 'Salix' has beutifully twisted branches and it is nice plant to spice up your winter garden. As the plant is very architectural, the branches can also be used as interior decoration and for flower arrangements.
Posted: Thursday 14th of May 2009 04:42 PM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 01:10 PM