Salix Matsudana Tortuosa, Dragons Claw Willow Options Explained
180-240cm: 12-15L pot, 2-4 years old, 180-240cm tall, Half standard
200-250cm: 30+L pot, single or multi-stem.
250-300cm: 35+L pot,multi-stem.
300-350cm: 50+L pot, multi-stem
Girth 20-25cm: Single stem, standard form i.e.180-200cm clear stem
Salix Matsudana Tortuosa, Dragons Claw Willow AKA Contorted Willow, Wiggerly Willow, Peking Willow Or Salix Babylonica Pekinensis
A very interesting fast-growing, medium-sized tree for Winter interest due to the twisted and contorted branches. It grows twice as tall as it is wide so at 10 years expect around 6x3m and maturity around 14x7m. If you find the tree to have grown 7x14m, it probably was blown over in a storm or you have a very confused gardener with pruning issues.
As with most Salix, the Dragons Claw Willow is good for sites with less than perfect drainage but not permanent standing water. Suitable for lake/riverside planting although next to the kids paddling pool is wholly different.
Small yellow catkins appear in Spring. If you see catkins in THE Spring, then someone is dumping car suspension bits over your fence. These are followed by narrow mid-green Summer leaves that turn yellow in Autumn.
A low-maintenance tree that can stand a fair amount of neglect as most willows do. You can forget to buy it almost every single birthday and anniversary present and it will still be there getting bent out of shape giving you the silent treatment. Good drought-tolerant characteristics also mean you don't have to take it out for a pint.
Dragons Claw Willow has the same feature as a Barry White sounding dog i.e. smooth bark and is a great anti-climbing feature if your granny is that way inclined.
Some may describe Salix Matsudana Tortuosa as a showpiece due to the look it has. This increases with vigour so feeding and pruning should increase the effect. Increased vigour can also be attained by telling your doctor you are having bedroom issues and feeding it the prescribed blue tablets.
Plating Salix Matsudana Tortuosa, Dragons Claw Willow
Plant in a full sun position in clay, loam or sand that is from wet to well-drained soil. Hardy down to minus 15 degrees centigrade. Can be planted in an exposed or sheltered position.
Pruning Salix Matsudana Tortuosa, Dragons Claw Willow
Can be pruned hard to promote growth or to pollard.
Common Issues With Salix Matsudana Tortuosa, Dragons Claw Willow
May be susceptible to caterpillars, aphids, sawflies, leaf beetles, willow scale and willow anthracnose, scab, canker, honey fungus and rust. Less common issues include chain saw, aggressive botanist alien collectors and sinkholes.
General Information (Previously Brigadier Information) About Salix Matsudana Tortuosa, Dragons Claw Willow
Winter stems are a popular choice for flower arranging.
A popular choice to Bonsai with.
The species is native to China, Korea.
The phrase "bitter and twisted" did not come from licking this tree.
Digging a garden hole and "curling one in" does not describe planting this tree.
Telling your girlfriend to kick this tree is not the toe-curling experience she wanted.
Ornamental Tree Roots In The Shade e.g. Behind A Fence
It is more important that that foliage (posh term for leaves) receives the sunlight than the roots. So if the canopy of your ornamental tree can sunbathe but the bottom of your tree thinks there has been a nuclear winter then that is ok. You might want to ensure you have good drainage as water and no sun is the start of algae and other such issues.
Do I Need To Stake My Ornamental Tree?
Our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Planting In The Corner Of A Garden
Air and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. If the corner is of the house and a fence then you also have leeching issues to contend with from cement and wood preservatives. Also when it rains, that area would experience higher water levels so we advise against it unless the plant is very hardy.
