Willow (eared)
General characteristics of a Willow (eared)
Eared Willow (Salix aurita) is a much-branched, upright shrub, usually no taller than 2.5 m. The numerous intertwining branches are usually short and thin. The younger ones are thinly felted, the older ones glabrous, brown, or blackish. The glabrous wood has numerous conspicuous striae (narrow, lengthwise ridges). The bud scales are brown or purple, usually sprinkled with small hairs. The leaves are rounded-obovate to oblong-obovate, with a wedge-shaped, sometimes slightly cordate base and a rounded apex. At the apex is a short, usually recurved spire.
The catkins flower in April and early May, before the leaves emerge. They are usually small, the male ones ovate or oblong (1:1 to 1.5), densely flowered, the female ones ovate to cylindrical (1:1.5 to 2), densely, later loosely flowered. The catkin scales are small, reddish-yellow or light brown, blackish at the tip, with varying degrees of thickness and long hairs on either side. The nectar gland is small, elongated, and truncated. The catkins, which are very similar to those of the goat willow, have distinctively colored scales, and in the female flowers, the fruit is sometimes almost longer-stalked than the catkin scale.
Willows also contribute to healthy soil life. They shed their leaves, which provide good mulch for the soil. As pioneer plants, they prepare the landscape for the next phase of succession.
Similar taxa The Eared Willow can be confused with the Grey Willow (s.s.) Salix cinerea subsp. cinerea, with which it often grows together. The Grey Willow (s.s.) is a larger shrub with sturdier, non-tangled branches. The leaves are larger, and the tops are not wrinkled. The two pure species can be distinguished quite well, but for example the cross Eared Willow x Grey Willow Salix x multinervis (S. aurita x cinerea) is common and covers the entire shape spectrum between the two species.
Characteristics
How to plant a Willow (eared)
Usually supplied as self-rooting cuttings of 1-3 m in length; plant as deeply as possible, 40-60 cm into the ground, preferably until groundwater level; ideally from mid-February to the end of March. Less chance of success in November/December.
How to harvest a Willow (eared)
Branches root in the soil or in water. High chance of success.
Caring for and pruning your Willow (eared)
Pruning is necessary when the shrub is becoming too large or to keep it in shape. Pollarding is an option.
Pruning
Pruning a willow is a crucial step in promoting its growth and maintaining its shape. Generally, the best time to prune a willow is during late winter to early spring, when the tree is dormant. This is usually between January and March, depending on the specific climate zone.
Pruning a willow during this period minimizes the risk of diseases and infections because the tree is less susceptible to stressors. Furthermore, it is easier to identify branches that need to be removed because the tree is defoliated. If you notice your willow is becoming overgrown, showing signs of disease, or simply needs a new shape, now is the ideal time to take action.
Pollarding
Pollarding a willow is a traditional pruning method used to rejuvenate the tree and extend its lifespan. The best time to pollard a willow is in late autumn or early winter, usually between November and December. During this period, the tree has shed its leaves and is in a dormant state.
Pollarding a willow involves cutting the branches back to the trunk, creating a gnarled, characteristic shape. This process stimulates the growth of new shoots and creates a denser, healthier structure. It's important to remember that not all willows are suitable for pollarding, so it's advisable to consult a professional landscaper before undertaking this step.
Where does a Willow (eared) grow
Eared willow is the typical willow species of poor, acidic environments: primarily wet, but rarely also dry, nutrient-poor to moderately nutrient-rich sandy and peat soils. Observations on very different soils, for example, in the polders and dunes, are rather suspect. Despite numerous reports of eared willow in the dunes in the past, the species appears to be absent during critical inspection. The hybridization with grey willow is frequently found in the dunes and is undoubtedly the cause of the confusion.
General
| Origin |
Native
|
| Tree Type | Deciduous tree |
Length and Age
| Length in about 10 years | 1 Up to 4 Meter |
| Reproductive Maturity in How Many Years | 0 Up to 80 year |
| Maximum Age | 40 Up to 100 year |
| Required Space | Up to m2 |
| Growth Rate |
Reproduction
| Tree is Self-Pollinating | No |
| Reproduction Method |
To cut (cutting is between 5 and 50 cm)
To be pollarded (the slit is approximately 2m)
Makes seedlings
|
| Reproduction rate |
|
Reproduction rate
| 1. Very low reproduction rate. The plant hardly spreads, has few seeds or vegetative spread (e.g., trees with heavy seeds). |
| 2. Low reproduction rate. Spread via limited seed production or specific conditions required |
| 3. Average reproduction rate. Regular spread, depending on wind, water, or animals, at a moderate speed (e.g., dandelion). |
| 4. High reproduction rate. Many seeds and multiple spread strategies (wind, birds, vegetative). Quickly colonizes open spaces |
| 5. Very high reproduction rate. Invasive species that spread explosively over large distances (e.g., Japanese knotweed). |
Pruning Period
| This Tree is Evergreen | No |
| Summer | April tot July |
| Winter | November tot February |
| Leaf Shapes | Oval |
| Easy to prune | Yes |
Bark Characteristics Seedling (50-200cm)
| Lenticels | Yes |
| Colour |
Bud Characteristics Seedling (50-200cm)
| Colour | |
| Bud Position |
Spread out
|
| Bud Shape |
Egg-shaped
|
Other
| Root | Information not available |
| Bloom |
Has catkins
|
| Wind sensitivity | Not sensitive to (sea) wind |
Diseases
| Sensitive to the Following Diseases |
Watermark disease (Willow)
|
Harvest/recognition in winter
Shrub shape; catkins; no taller than 3 meters; short, thin, intertwining branches; the bare wood has distinctive, upward-sloping and narrow ridges.
Light requirement of the Willow (eared)
Suitable soil types for the Willow (eared)
| Soil type | Suitability |
|---|---|
| light clay |
|
| heavy clay |
|
| sand |
|
| peatland |
|
| Loam |
|
| Moerig op zand |
|
| Lichte zavel |
|
| Zware zavel |
|
Humidity
Suitable acidity level for the Willow (eared)
Nutritional needs of the Willow (eared)
| 1. | Very nutrient-poor soil |
| 2. | Very nutrient-poor to nutrient-poor soil |
| 3. | Nutrient-poor soil |
| 4. | Nutrient-poor to moderately nutrient-rich soil |
| 5. | Moderately nutrient-rich soil |
| 6. | Moderately nutrient-rich to nutrient-rich soil |
| 7. | Nutrient-rich soil |
| 8. | Extremely nutrient-rich soil |
| 9. | Very extremely nutrient-rich soil |
Humidity
| 1. | Extremely dry soils |
| 2. | Extremely dry to dry soils |
| 3. | Dry soils |
| 4. | Dry to dry/moist soils |
| 5. | Dry/moist soils |
| 6. | Dry/moist to moist soils |
| 7. | Moist soils |
| 8. | Moist to wet soils |
| 9. | Wet soils |
To be applied in landscapes
| Landscape | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Agroforestry |
|
| Hedge |
|
| Hedge |
|
| Forest |
|
| Feeding hedge |
|
| Back yard |
|
| Small back yard |
|
| Solitary |
|
| Wood wall |
|
Cultural-historical value
Insects
| How many insects typically live on this tree/plant? | 450 |
| Which insect groups live on this tree/plant? |
Bees
Butterflies
Bumblebees
|
| Are there insects dependent on this species? | No |
| Which insect species are dependent on this tree/plant? |
Purple Emperor
|
Birds
| Average number of birds per tree/plant? | |
| Which bird groups live on this tree/plant? |
|
Mammals
| Average number of mammals per tree/plant? | |
| Which mammal groups live on this tree/plant? |
|
| Are there mammals dependent on this species? | No |
| Which mammal species are dependent on this tree/plant? |
Bloom Period
| Summer | April Up to May |
Tree Species
| Tree species that this tree prefers to grow with |
|
Suitable for mammals?
| Mammal | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Beavers |
|
| Badgers |
|
| Squirrel |
|
| Ferret |
|
| Goat |
|
| Herbivorous rodents |
|
| Deer |
|
| Dog |
|
| Cat |
|
| Chicken |
|
| Cow |
|
| Human |
|
| Mouse |
|
| Horse |
|
| Roe deer |
|
| Sheep |
|
| Pig |
|
| Foxes |
|
| Wild boar |
|
Explanation
Explanation
Edibility
- Toxic: This tree or shrub is toxic to mammals and absolutely unsuitable for consumption.
- Very unsuitable: This tree or shrub is unsuitable for consumption by mammals and can be harmful.
- Unsuitable: This tree or shrub is generally unsuitable for consumption by mammals and can have adverse effects.
- Moderately suitable: This tree or shrub is moderately suitable as food for mammals, possibly with certain risks or limitations.
- Suitable: This tree or shrub is generally suitable as food for mammals, with little to no risks.
- Very suitable: This tree or shrub is very suitable as food for mammals, safe, and of high nutritional value.
Trunk Height
Average Trunk Height (hg) of the basal area median tree
Information not available
Trunk Diameter
(dg) (1.30m) of the basal area median tree.
Information not available
Aboveground Biomass
in whole kgInformation not available
Belowground Biomass
in whole kgInformation not available
Substance Binder
| Which substances can be bound or absorbed? |
CO2
Particulate matter
|
Carbon Attraction (kf)
| (dg) (1.30m) of the basal area median tree | Deciduous Trees (Kf = 0,48) |
Warming Resistance
| This tree is well resistant to the warming (plus 3 degrees) of our climate and fits into the future of our climate (heat and drought resistant). | Yes |
CO2
| 0. | not filled in |
| 1. | no storage |
| 2. | low storage |
| 3. | moderate storage |
| 4. | high storage |
| 5. | very high storage |
Fine Dust
| 0. | not filled in |
| 1. | no capture capacity |
| 2. | low capture capacity |
| 3. | moderate capture capacity |
| 4. | high capture capacity |
| 5. | very high capture capacity |
This is what an adult tree Willow (eared) looks like
This is what a Willow (eared) in bloom looks like
This is what the leaf of a Willow (eared) looks like
