Okay, so I’ve been wanting to add some more visual interest to my backyard, and I’ve always loved the look of dappled willows. I decided to go for it and get a dappled willow standard tree. Let me tell you, it was a bit of a journey, but totally worth it!
Getting Started
First things first, I headed to my local nursery. I wanted to see the trees in person before I committed. I looked at a bunch of different ones, checking out the leaf color and the overall shape. They had quite a few, some smaller, some bigger, it was hard to choose!
I finally picked one that I thought looked healthy and had a good, strong trunk. It wasn’t the biggest one, but it had the best shape and the leaves were a beautiful mix of pink, white, and green. I paid for it, and the guys at the nursery helped me load it into my truck. That thing was heavier than I expected!
Planting the Willow
Once I got it home, the real work began. I dug a hole in my backyard, making sure it was twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. This part was tough, my soil is pretty rocky! I added some compost to the bottom of the hole to give the tree a good start.
Then, I carefully removed the tree from its container. It was root-bound, I carefully pulled away at the roots to get the roots a little free. I gently placed the tree in the hole, making sure it was straight. I then backfilled the hole with the soil I had dug out, pressing it down gently to remove any air pockets.
Caring for My New Tree
- Watering: I gave the tree a good, deep watering right after planting. I’ve been making sure to water it regularly, especially since it’s been pretty hot and dry lately. I learned they do like water.
- Mulching: I spread a layer of mulch around the base of the tree, being careful not to let it touch the trunk. This helps to keep the soil moist and prevents weeds.
- Pruning: I haven’t done much pruning yet, but I know I’ll need to prune it regularly to maintain its shape and encourage that beautiful dappled foliage. I’ll probably watch some videos on that before I get the clippers out.
Enjoying the Results
It’s been a few weeks now, and my dappled willow is doing great! It’s already starting to put out new growth, and the colors are just stunning. I love sitting on my patio and watching the leaves shimmer in the sunlight. It was definitely a bit of work getting it planted, but seeing it thrive makes it all worthwhile. I can’t wait till it gets bigger and more showy.
