June Father's Day Bonus - "Corkscrew Willow" by Richard Caldwell

Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’, commonly known as the Corkscrew Willow, Contorted Willow, Curly Willow, Pekin Willow, Hankow Willow and the Dragon’s Claw Willow. In the family Salicaceae, which includes all deciduous Willows, Poplars and even the Quaking Aspen, the Corkscrew willow is one of the more attractive and ornamental varieties in the family. Named after the Japanese botanist Sadahisa Matsudo, who wrote about the trees in China more than a hundred years ago. I have a particular fondness for this tree because of the curly and contorted branch growth that resemble Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick (Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’), which is a curly Hazelnut variety. Some classify this tree as Salix contorta; I believe it is the same tree as the S. matsudana ‘Tortuosa’. The branches, with their twisting habit are prized for craft projects and I have made beautiful golden, light and strong walking sticks from the Dragon’s Claw Willow.

The leaves are a light green with a gray green underside, and then turn a slightly darker green in summer and yellow fall foliage. It is a linear-lanceolate simple leaf which is alternate along the branch and curl just as much as the branch growth. The branches obviously twist and contort with an upright and outward growth. Very light green to yellow bark color on younger branches, the larger branch and trunk bark is a common Willow look, not overly attractive or noteworthy. Catkins are the flower of choice for the Willows, appearing in spring the tree form itself at maturity is usually an oval to rounded crown that can reach upwards of forty feet or more, eventually.

Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’ is hardy to the Connecticut region (6) and can grow in zones 4 to 8. It prefers cool moist soil environment in temperate climates, however is more drought tolerant than most Willows. Easily propagated from cuttings, as are all in the Salicaceae family. This is due to the natural abundance of rooting hormone in this species, which are used commercially for rooting hormone products. Salicylic acid is another commercial product derived from the Willow family; this is otherwise known as aspirin. So the next time you have a headache and you see a Willow tree, chew on a tender leaf stem.
Article by Richard Caldwell, ISA arborist and horticulturalist at 
Trout Brook Landscaping
For contact information for pruning and planting www.troutbrooklandscapingct.com