Garden Care Guide

White Willow Care

Salix alba

A very fast-growing native tree that grows naturally along waterways and likes moist to wet soil. It is not drought tolerant at all, and because its water-seeking roots can damage infrastructure, it should be planted away from buildings.

Hardy · -35 °C / -31 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Fertilizing: Well-rotted manure or compost can be added to the soil; do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Main pruning time. Remove dry, diseased and weak branches. Prune to strengthen the crown structure and remove hazardous branches. This is also the right time for hard pruning (pollarding).
  • Plant protection: Apply dormant oil (mineral oil) against scale insect and aphid eggs.
  • General care: Pruned branches can easily be rooted by inserting them into the soil.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for signs of canker on the trunk and branches.
February
  • Fertilizing: A balanced NPK fertilizer can be applied if needed, but do not overapply.
  • Pruning: While dormant, remove dry, broken, crossing and inward-growing branches so that air and light reach the inside of the crown.
  • Plant protection: Before the buds wake up, apply a copper-based preparation against fungal diseases.
  • General care: Propagation by cuttings can continue.
  • Frost risk: Protect newly planted seedlings from severe frosts.
March
  • Watering: If the soil begins to dry, water abundantly (30-40 L/week); reduce if there is rain.
  • Plant protection: Check the new shoots for aphids.
  • General care: Rapid growth begins.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water 1-2 times a week.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: It grows very fast; the change is visible week by week.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
May
  • Watering: Water 2-3 times a week. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Check fresh shoot tips for aphids (small clusters of green or black insects). If there are few, you can knock them off with a strong spray of water. Check the undersides of the leaves for orange-brown pustules (rust).
June
  • Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
  • Pruning: Do not prune, except for branches damaged by storms.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Keep the soil cool and moist by covering the root zone with a thick layer of mulch.
  • Pests & diseases: Check fresh shoot tips for aphids (small clusters of green or black insects). If there are few, you can knock them off with a strong spray of water. Check the undersides of the leaves for orange-brown pustules (rust).
July
  • Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
  • Plant protection: Continue pest control.
  • General care: Check the soil moisture constantly.
  • Pests & diseases: Water stress weakens the plant and makes it open to diseases.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
  • Plant protection: Continue pest control.
  • General care: Maintain the mulch to keep the roots cool.
  • Pests & diseases: Keep watching for signs of water stress.
September
  • Watering: Water 2-3 times a week. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Allow the plant to prepare for dormancy.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the undersides of the leaves for orange-brown pustules (rust).
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water 1-2 times a week.
  • General care: The leaves turn yellow. Reduce the disease risk by collecting the fallen leaves.
November
  • Watering: If the winter rains start, stop watering completely.
  • Plant protection: Apply a copper-based preparation after leaf fall to prevent diseases.
  • General care: Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under leaves.
  • Frost risk: Protect newly planted seedlings during the first winter.
December
  • Pruning: The main pruning period can begin.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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