Salix 'Golden Curls' #7

Pictured here is 'Golden Curls' in 2005 and 2012. In seven years, it went from a baby tree, to a 30' tree that kids love to climb. Now, 10 years later, it's as beautiful as ever, towering over its neighboring Black Gums, which are notoriously slow growing trees. It's one of my (Dave here) favorite trees, and I have planted 11 more on our arboretum since 2005. Willows are known for their ability to easily root once a cutting is taken and stuck into the ground or put into water. Of the 11 that I have planted, 10 of those were started as pencil sized cuttings stuck into the ground in March, before the tree broke dormancy. I kept them watered well the first few months. 5 years later, they were 12-15' tall. This extremely fast growing tree eventually reaches 35'+ tall and wide. Its contorted branches provide interest all year, which is where it gets its common name, Contorted Willow or Curly Willow.. Its young bark is golden during the growing season and turns to a eye catching golden/orange in the winter. Hardy to Zone 5.