The mottled willow tree ( Salix integra ‘ Hakuro - nishiki ’ ) is a popular cosmetic tree diagram with a graceful weeping riding habit . It has lovely grey - green foliage streaked with pink and white . Since this tree grows quickly , pruning a dappled willow tree is always an of import part of the maintenance . Read on for information on mottled willow tree pruning .
The dappled willow also known as the tri - colour or variegated willow tree is a popular decorative shrub grown for its beautiful pink , white and green leafage . With its multi - colored leaves emerging in springtime , the mottled willow adds a pop of vividness to the garden .
Proper pruning is key to observe your mottled willow tree looking its best . Pruning advance the shrub to produce abundant young shoot , restoring the pink and white-hot diversification that tends to fade as summer approaches . When and how you prune makes all the difference .

Why Prune a Dappled Willow?
Pruning serves several important purposes
Without pruning , dappled willow can become overgrown and unattractive . Their leaf lose its colorful solicitation . Regular pruning keeps the flora shapely and decorative .
When to Prune for Best Results
Timing is everything when it comes to pruning dapple willows . To further optimal leaf color and plant health , prune in previous wintertime or very other natural spring .
The idealistic fourth dimension is right before the shrub leafs out and introduce its participating growing catamenia . In most climate , previous February to former March is perfect .
Pruning in fall or midwinter is not recommend , as it can stimulate tender raw growth that may get damage by rough weather .
Signs that it ’s fourth dimension to prune :
How to Prune a Dappled Willow
Pruning a dappled willow tree is childlike :
1 . Start by removing all beat , damaged or crossing leg . unmortgaged out congested areas to open up the shrub ’s national to twinkle and air circulation .
2 . Shorten remaining offshoot by 1/3 their length . Make cuts just above an outbound face bud or side shoot .
3 . Shape and incorporate sizing as need . you’re able to trim quite heavily , take out up to one - third of the total branches . The willow tree will readily re - sprout .
4 . Clean tools with isopropyl alcohol when finished . This prevents disease transmission .
That ’s all there is to basic pruning . Resist the itch to fleece the top into a ball shape , as this take away the colorful prow . Make selective cut or else .
Additional Summer Pruning
For tot up colouring , some gardener do a 2nd pruning in mid - summer ( July or early August ) . This stimulate a new rush of bright pinkish and white emergence .
merely abridge all branches by about 6 inches above a leaf node . The willow tree will chop-chop generate bracing shoot hint with reincarnate variegation . It energizes the plant for a final show of color before pin .
This second pruning is optional . The trade wind - off is a brief burst of coloring followed by more Byzantine re - growth to snip out next spring .
Pruning a Tree Form Dappled Willow
mottled willows are sometimes engraft onto a standard rhizome to create a “ Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ” kind . Although visually different , pruning demand are the same :
ward off topping off the central drawing card , as this damage the graft coupling . Instead , selectively flimsy and shorten side branch .
What Tools to Use
Hand pruners are ideal for smaller stems up to half inch in diam . Larger branches will require pruner or pruning saw .
quash wounding the plant by trounce stems instead of cutting them . Ragged tear invite pests and diseases . Make cuts just outside healthy bud .
Dispose of Pruned Stems Properly
Never compost diseased wood , as this can spread problem . Healthy stem can go into the compost mass or chop up into smaller objet d’art first . Or merely discard of pruned ramification through municipal yard waste solicitation . Just do n’t go out them as a touch off hazard on the lawn !
Benefits of Regular Pruning
Pruning is a bit of workplace that pays off handsomely . A well - dress mottled willow graces your landscape painting with bright - colored , shapely appeal . Time your pruning correctly , and you ’ll enjoy this unique cosmetic shrub for year of smasher .
Cutting Back Dappled Willows
Japan and Korea are home to the mottled willow . It usually grows near H2O , like in Marsh and along streams . Its shoot were used in yesteryear for basket making . A Dutch stock breeder brought Salix integra ‘ Hakuro - nishiki ’ to this country in 1979 .
mottled willow is now seen as an cosmetic plant , so many gardener put it on their lean of thing to do . All willows produce rapidly , and dappled willow tree are no elision . Keep this in mind when you are choosing trees for your backyard .
mottled willows are attractive , tolerant , and fast - grow trees . You ’ll come up that these willow grow arm and shoots unmistakably fast . They also bring forth lots of suckers around their fundament . A dappled willow needs to be trimmed at least once a season to keep it from growing too tight .
We ’re happy to say that there are n’t many things that can go wrong when you prune mottled willow . These are very forgiving tree and will boom no matter how you trim them . In fact , cutting back mottle willow tree almost always makes them more attractive . That ’s because all fresh shoots uprise in with lovely pink - tinged leafage .
How to Prune Dappled Willow
When you prune , there are a few things you should always do . The sleep will look on what you require to do with the tree diagram or shrub .
start out cut back a dappled willow by murder beat , low , or diseased branches . This is essential for the health and energy of the industrial plant .
How to Prune a Dappled Willow Tree Salix Hakuro Nishiki and Results after 72 Days
FAQ
When should you cut back a willow tree ?
How to give care for a dappled willow tree shrub ?
How long does a dappled willow tree inhabit ?