What are the latest propagation methods for willow trees?

Willow is the collective name for a group of plants in the genus Salix of the family Salicaceae. There are quite a few species, and they crossbreed easily. Hybrids have strong growth vigor and adaptability and are easy to propagate vegetatively. Superior clonal varieties can be obtained by selecting from natural or artificial hybrid populations through vegetative propagation, and plant tissue culture can also be used to quickly obtain large numbers of high-quality saplings. Let's take a look at the propagation methods of willow below!

Growth Habits of Willow

Willow is a plant with a broad ecological amplitude and wide adaptability to the environment. It is a light-loving, moisture-loving, cold-tolerant mesophytic to wet-loving tree species, but some species are also fairly drought-tolerant and salt-alkali-tolerant and can grow in places with harsher ecological conditions. In plains and fertile fields with superior site conditions, it grows even better. Its general lifespan is 20-30 years, and a few species can reach over a hundred years. Its growing period within a year is relatively long, it sprouts early and sheds its leaves late, and a few species in the south are evergreen trees.

Origin and Distribution of Willow

Willow is suited to various different ecological environments. Willow grows in mountains, plains, sand dunes and polar regions alike, and is mainly distributed in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Dry willow is produced in the plains of North China, Northeast China and Northwest China. Weeping willow is found throughout China, and has been introduced to many countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Korean weeping willow, round-headed willow, long-column willow, white-bark willow, large white willow, slender-column willow, Chinese willow and others are mostly produced in Northeast China, and are also found in Korea, Japan and the Russian Far East. Crack willow is native to Europe, and has been introduced to Northeast China. White willow is produced in Xinjiang, Gansu, Qinghai and Xizang in China, and is also distributed in Iran, Pakistan, northern India, Afghanistan, Russia and Europe. Glandular willow is produced in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River basin and southern Liaoning Province, and is also found in Korea and Japan. Yunnan willow is produced in Yunnan, Guangxi, Guizhou and Sichuan in China. Purple willow is produced in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China. Large-leaved willow is produced in Sichuan Province in China. Cotton willow has been introduced in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in China.

Propagation Methods of Willow

Willow is commonly propagated by cuttings, which can maintain the superior characteristics of the mother tree. Cutting propagation is the main method, but sowing and raising seedlings can also be used. Cuttings are carried out in early spring. Select superior plants with fast growth and few diseases and pests as mother trees for collecting scion wood. Before budbreak, cut 2-3 year old branches and cut them into 15-17 cm lengths as cuttings. Insert the cuttings straight into the soil at a plant and row spacing of 20×30 cm. After inserting, water thoroughly, keep the soil moist frequently, remove buds and weeds in time, and apply topdressing 3-4 times after rooting. Young seedlings are easily damaged by weevils, aphids and willow leaf beetles. For sowing and raising seedlings, collect seeds in April and sow them immediately after collection. The thousand-grain weight of the seeds is 0.4 grams, the germination rate is 70-80%, and about 0.25 kilograms are sown per mu. The seedling height in the same year is 80-100 cm. Transplanting is best carried out from after leaf fall in winter to before buds sprout in early spring of the following year. After planting, water thoroughly and set up supports.