How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Corkscrew (Curly) Willow

Corkscrew willow, also known as curly willow (Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’), is a member of the willow family (Salicaceae) and is native to Asia. It is available as a landscaping tree and is most appreciated for its fast growth rate and interesting twisting branch patterns. 

As its name implies, this willow has branches that twist and turn as they grow. Unlike the familiar weeping willow, a large tree with long, gracefully downward-curved branches that sway in the breeze, the corkscrew willow is a smaller tree with an upright form and irregularly shaped, gnarled branches. In the fall, when these trees have lost their leaves for the season, they add wonderful winter interest to any landscape!

You can use it as an unusual landscaping tree or grow it along an edge or wetland border. These trees are easy to grow but do have some limitations and won’t be the best option for every landscaping project. If you’re looking for a moisture-loving, small tree that is uniquely different, however, the corkscrew willow would make a great choice.

Now, let’s dig into some more details about the corkscrew willow, how you can use it in your landscape, and how best to help your tree thrive!

Natural History

The parent species, Salix matsudana, is native to China, Japan, and Korea, where it commonly grows in moist habitats near ponds and streams. The cultivar ‘Tortuosa’ was developed and introduced as a landscaping plant.

Similar cultivars have the same growing conditions but different colored branches and somewhat variable growth habits. These trees have value for landscaping and wildlife habitat, and the attractive twisted branches can even be used for dried flower arrangements and craft projects.

Characteristics

These are fast-growing, deciduous trees. They can grow between 20 and 40 feet tall and between 15 and 25 feet wide. The trunk and main branches have a generally upright form with a rounded crown.  

The most unique characteristic is the branches and stems, which give rise to its other common name, curly willow. Younger trees may appear more smooth and straight, while older trees tend to develop a gnarled or twisted trunk.

The main branches and stems do not grow straight but rather in an uneven, twisted, wavy pattern. The smaller branches and stems, while also twisted and curled, grow closely together to create a dense, rounded crown, and the summer foliage somewhat conceals the curly branches. 

The leaves are alternate and three to six inches long. The narrow, simple, lancelike leaves come to a long, tapered point. Like the branches and stems, the leaves also tend to be slightly curled or wavy rather than purely flat and straight in profile.

The bare trees in the winter months are quite interesting to look at with their masses of wavy, upright branches. These trees provide exceptional winter appeal with their unusual branch forms, and for this reason, no two trees will be alike.

The bark is light gray, and younger stems may vary from light gray to a slightly orange hue. In the spring, these trees bloom with branches full of long yellowish catkins that hang straight down in small clusters at the end of young branch tips. The foliage turns from bright green to a showy yellow in fall, emphasizing the year-round beauty of this tree.

Propagation

The easiest way to acquire a new corkscrew willow will be to purchase one. But if you already have one, the easiest way to propagate it is by taking a hardwood cutting. While you can grow a willow tree from seed, hybrids and cultivars won’t grow true to the parent tree. 

Hardwood Cuttings

The best way to propagate these trees is from hardwood cuttings taken during the winter while the tree is dormant. Propagating a tree from hardwood cuttings is a bit time-consuming but fairly simple.

When your cutting takes root, you will have a clone that is genetically identical to the parent plant, and these new plants will grow quickly, so you can have a new young tree with known properties in your landscape in much less time than trying to grow a tree from seed.

Transplanting

Spring is the best time to transplant a tree. If you are buying a tree online, you should transplant it as soon as you can after it arrives. Many reputable online tree retailers will ship bare-root trees during the ideal planting season, so your tree will be ready to transplant upon arrival.

For the first year after transplanting, your tree will need lots of water. Water it deeply a couple of times each week, at least any time you do not receive natural rainfall. Your tree will be working hard to develop a strong and resilient root system for the first year in its new home.

How to Grow

Corkscrew willows are easy to grow. They need bright sunlight and moist soil but are not overly picky about soil quality. They need a bit of space to grow to their full height and will require some regular maintenance to keep them healthy and looking great.

Sunlight

Place your corkscrew willow in a location with full sun exposure. These trees tolerate some dappled shade but will perform best with at least four to six hours of direct sunlight each day.

Water

Provide your tree with consistently moist soil. Unless you have your tree in a very moist area, water it regularly during its first year and anytime the weather stays hot and dry for a prolonged period. If it isn’t raining regularly and your tree isn’t located near a natural water supply, give your willow trees a thorough watering at least once each week.

Soil

The soil for these trees should be organically rich and able to retain moisture. They aren’t too picky about soil type as long as the soil stays moist.

They can grow in clay, loamy, or sandy soil. They also tolerate soil types ranging from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (pH of 5.6 to 7.8)

Climate and temperature

Corkscrew willows are hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones four through eight. These trees are quite cold-tolerant and seem to prefer climates that are not overly hot and humid. 

Fertilizing

There is no need to fertilize your willow tree. Average-quality soil should provide all the nutrients your tree needs. If you add an annual dressing of organic compost or biodegradable mulch around your tree, this should be more than enough to keep your tree happy and well-nourished. 

Maintenance

Corkscrew willow are medium-maintenance trees. Regular maintenance should include weeding around your tree and an annual clean-up of debris. Add mulch to prevent weeds and also to preserve soil moisture. As you’re mowing or trimming around your tree, be careful around the trunk so as not to damage it. 

You can grow one without ever pruning it, but you can prune your tree as needed to improve the general shape of a young tree. Prune as needed to remove any dead, diseased, or overly crowded or crossed branches.

Garden Design

The first thing to remember as you’re planning your garden is that this is a fast-growing tree for a sunny spot with moist soil. The other thing to consider is that these trees are somewhat short-lived and messy as they drop an abundance of catkins in the spring and leaves in the fall. 

They have a shallow, fibrous root system and should not be planted immediately adjacent to a driveway, sidewalk, buildings, or underground utility lines. Give them plenty of space away from your home. 

If you don’t want to worry about the need to frequently water your tree, plant yours in a low-lying location that holds a bit of extra moisture. Grow it along a wetland edge that naturally stays moist throughout the year. These trees are a great choice for a rain garden, especially because it can be difficult to find moisture-loving trees that thrive in wet soils.

For ornamental plantings in need of a small tree, consider adding a corkscrew willow to a butterfly or pollinator garden. While these trees don’t have showy flowers, they still attract pollinators and benefit butterflies and bees. You can also appreciate these trees in your winter landscape when their interesting branches really stand out for their varied forms. 

Varieties

‘Golden Curls,’ Salix matsudana ‘Golden Curls’

‘Golden Curls’ is a cultivar with beautiful yellow stems. In the summer, you can admire the contrast between the bright green leaves and their yellow stems, and in the fall, you will have a plant with a brilliant yellow aura. During the wintertime, the twisted branches and golden brown bark are very appealing.

‘Scarlet Curls,’ Salix matsudana ‘Scarlet Curls’

The ‘Scarlet Curls’ cultivar is a very ornamental tree with excellent winter interest. It has beautiful golden-brown branches with thinner, scarlet-red stems. The dramatic contrast between these shades of green, yellow, and red is quite attractive.

‘Navajo,’ Salix matsudana ‘Navajo’

‘Navajo’ willow, also known as the Navajo globe willow, is a cultivar with a more traditional form. These trees have sturdy upright trunks with a dense, rounded crown of upright branches. This tree can grow to 50 feet tall and makes an excellent shade tree with stunningly beautiful yellow fall foliage.

Wildlife Value

This and other willow varieties offer some valuable benefits for wildlife. Willows are a larval host plant for the viceroy butterfly. During their spring flowering period, these trees also attract many species of native bees and other pollinators. Birds will freely use willow trees for nesting, resting, and foraging for insect prey. 

Common Problems

One of the biggest problems is that they are short-lived. But even a tree that lives for 15 to 20 years can provide wonderful benefits for your landscape project.

These plants can be attacked by various insect pests, although fortunately, these pests tend to be a minor nuisance rather than a severe problem for the health of the tree.

Aphids

Aphids are common garden pests that feed on many different plants. They are small, soft-bodied insects that may appear gray, green, yellow, or pink. Aphids gather in clusters along the leaves and stems, feeding on plant juices with their tiny, piercing mouthparts. Aphids on willow trees may cause minor damage but are typically not a cause for concern. 

Willow Beetles

Willow beetles can be a real nuisance. Adult beetles are small, shiny, and black, resembling a completely black ladybug beetle. Larvae are also black and look like little bug-like grubs clinging to the leaves in small groups.

Both adults and larvae damage willow trees by feeding on the leaves and either skeletonizing them or eating them entirely. Trees usually survive beetle damage but will look sick because of the damaged leaves.

Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew is a fungal infection that causes leaves to appear gray or white. Severe infestations will cause the leaves to turn yellow or brown and shrivel.

Prune off any severely infected branches and discard them far away from your willow trees to prevent further spread. Rake up leaves in the fall to reduce the chances of reinfestation of any pests and diseases.

Frequently Asked Questions