Will This Work(pics included)

Steve Baker

Steve Baker

Location
Cleveland,OH
My father is building these bed's with the hopes of putting these particular trees in them http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/WillowHybrid.htm My question is this.What is the root structure like with this type of tree?The beds measure 6'x13',and are built using dry stack block construction(very strong) He is wanting to put 2 of these trees in each bed.With that type of room is there any chance the root structures of these particular trees could possibly blow out the sides of the wall?Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Hard to say what the mature height and width will be. One previous customer's comments point to going to 20' fast.

I would think that it will depend on the height of the walls. Two blocks high might be alright, but I wouldn't want to put it in a 10 block high wall.

I'd advise contacting the seller to try to find out mature size expectations.

Will it be left in a natural shape, or sheared/ pruned to be more hedge-like. If the latter, then I'd feel more comfortable with it.
 
The pics on the site state the trees are at mature height. Like Sean said contact the vendor to ascertain root spread, mature height, etc....
 
Willow Hybrid Growing Zones: 4-9
Mature Height: 35-45 ft in rows
50-75 ft alone
Mature Width: 5-6 ft in rows
20-30 ft alone

After looking a bit better at the description I saw the above stats, which seem either to conflict with the picture of the person next to the "mature height" which seems to be about 20', or that person is HUGELY TALL.

I don't really know about these trees, or the impact of growing them in rows limiting the height and spread, but I wouldn't really trust this conflicting info.

Somehow I thought of privacy screening and hedging, which willow would not seem to take to very well as I believe them to be somewhat of poor compartmentalizers (anyone????), especially since they are such fast growers. I was not suggesting that they should be kept hedged.

The hollow block walls are somewhat strong, but probably not too strong compared to large dry stone masonry which would have much greater density and weight.

I don't think that this will be the best choice, as it indicates that they will become very large.
 
if you are hedging with willows you need to plan it as a coppice.

I would be leery of $30 whips of a nondescript "hybrid" like that.

You can go cut whips off of black or white willow and stick them in moist soil for a similar effect.
 
Willows are like my girlfriend; very weak upperbody almost incapable of supporting loads, and massively strong legs underneath capable of kicking me through walls. These trees will rip up concrete twenty minutes after you plant them. And the roots will seek out things to destroy, no matter the distance.

There are "arctic willows" that are more hedge-like, but again, they are unruly and grow without concern for manners. Arborists are incapable of controlling them. Planting any kind of willow is masochism.
 
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Planting any kind of willow is masochism.

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Or a clever business plan for future work
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"Hybrid" willow usually refers to Salix x rubens, a cross of S. fragilis (Crack Willow) and S. alba (straight White Willow, not the weeping variety). It's a big tree. 6' x 13' is not nearly big enough for one of 'em! And yes, they will push apart the walls.
It's hard to tell for sure considering the link provides no botanic name. They probably don't know what it is themselves...

What is the purpose of the beds - Is it simply esthetics?
What exactly is appealing about the willows? If we know that we/you could offer up better alternatives.
 
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