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

Tree of the month JUNE: Paperbark Maple!

Acer griseum, or commonly known as Paperbark Maple is a deciduous specimen tree of great beauty and aesthetic value.  Most notable for its exfoliating red bark, it also has exceptional fall foliage color, which varies slightly tree to tree

. Its upright oval to round growth habit is consistent with most Maple trees, however this species of Maple is slower growing and shorter than most of the genus Acer. Only reaching approximately 20 to 30’ and may grow up to 50’ after many years. The oldest specimen in the United States is said to be over 100 years old, far older Paperbark Maples can be found in other parts of the world. It’s native to central China, grown in Europe and was introduced to the United States in 1901. The Paperbark Maple hardiness zone extends from zones 5 to 7 for good growth, but will survive in zones 4 and 8. Connecticut fall into roughly zone 6, moreover this is the perfect latitude for the Paperbark.

The attractive bark is reddish bronze to cinnamon brown, with the older bark exfoliating paper thin sheets exposing smooth satin textured red/ bronze. It’s as though a Maple tree was crossed with Himalayan Paper Birch and Japanese Cherry trees. The leaves are maple like, but are known as trifoliate, which means the leaf is separated into three leaflets as can be in the Box Elder (Acer negundo). The leaf color Usually is a dark bluish green with a silvery gray underside (this is where the Latin name for gray comes in, griseus), this turns to bronze, russet red, vibrant red, and even to red orange with pink tones depending on the individual tree and climate. The Paperbark Maple does not produce showy flowers, and the maple samara (helicopter) seed pod is usually devoid of seed. This makes propagation from seed problematic at best. Cuttings and cloning are used as well, but with equal difficulty.

The Paperbark Maple is not susceptible to any serious pest or disease problems, however certain cultural practices should be observed. It should be planted in a moist slightly acidic and well-drained soil, and watered regularly due to its lack of drought tolerance. Full sun to part shade, planted in groves, forest borders or singularly in a backyard are all good for this spectacular specimen tree.

Written by Rick Caldwell, 

ISA arborist, Horticultural expert and 19 years experienced tree climber and crew leader