Salix babylonica 'Tortuosa' – Dragon's claw willow

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Salicaceae

Salix babylonica 'Tortuosa' – Dragon's claw willow

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Remarkable tree with very twisted branches, twigs and leaves. Sometimes also cultivated as a shrub. Young trees have an oval crown but as the tree ages, a more round shape develops. When mature, the yellowish grey trunk is deeply grooved. The young twigs twist like a cork screw and are yellowish green. The lanceolate leaves are bright green on top and greyish green underneath. The leaves are 7 - 14 cm long and 1.2 cm wide with a finely serrated edge. The leaves are also very curly, rendering the grey underside very visible. The flowers appear before the leaves emerge. 'Tortuosa' is a decorative tree especially in the winter, with its twisted, yellow branches. The branches are displayed in vases particularly during Easter.
Availability
Multi-stem (4)
Specifications
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Height
6 - 10 (14) m
Width
6-10m
Crown
oval to rounded, half-open crown, capricious growing
Bark and branches
yellowish grey, grooved, twigs yellowish green, very twisted
Leaf
lanceolate, bright green, curved, 7 - 12 cm
Flowers
approx. 2.5 cm long flower catkins, pale yellow, March/April
Fruits
catkins
Spines/thorns
None
Toxicity
usually not toxic to people, (large) pets and livestock
Soil type
moist and wet, preferably calcareous
Soil moisture
suitable for wet soil, withstand short flood, withstand long flood
Paving
tolerates no paving
Winter hardiness zone
5b (-26,0 to -23,4 °C)
Wind resistance
good
Other resistances
resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6), can withstand wind
Fauna tree
valuable for bees (honey plant)
Shape
clearstem tree, feathered tree, multi-stem treem
Origin
France, 1924
Synonyms
Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa'
Clear stem tree feathered tree Multi-stem tree clay soil loamy soil peaty soil sandy soil tolerates no paving light-loving resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6) suitable for wet soil withstand long flood withstand short flood can withstand wind oval 2nd size, between 6 and 12 metres half-open crown green yellow average growing valuable for bees (honey plant) non-toxic (usually) Capricious growing playground tree
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Frequently asked questions
Salix babylonica 'Tortuosa'

Salix babylonica 'Tortuosa' can eventually reach a height of 6 - 10 (14) m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

Salix babylonica 'Tortuosa' is average growing and can eventually reach a height of 6 - 10 (14) m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

The right time to plant Salix babylonica 'Tortuosa' is during the dormancy period. In Western Europe, Salix babylonica 'Tortuosa' with root balls can generally be planted from mid-November to late April, although this depends strongly on the climatic conditions and the species of tree.

Salix babylonica 'Tortuosa' blooms in march.
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