Grey Pussy Willow Sapling Trees

Salix Cinerea Hedging

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Grey Pussy Willow, Salix cinerea, is a large native shrub or a small, stubby tree that is found in boggy ground and riversides across the country. Along with goat willow, Salix cineria is often referred to as Pussy Willow because of its beautiful catkins. Before they ripen, they are covered in neat, silver-grey hairs that look equally lovely on the bare branches or in a vase...  Salix cinerea can be coppiced and pollarded: it tends to form a fairly low tree anyway but if you want more upright growth, keep removing the lower side branches each year. Pussy Willows are the earliest to flower, providing a key source of early nectar and pollen to bees as they gear up for the year.

See our selection of willow hedging plants or view our full range of hedging.

Grey Pussy Willow plants are only delivered bareroot, during winter (Nov-March). All of our young trees and shrubs are measured by their height in centimetres above the ground (the roots aren't measured).

Common Names: Grey Willow, Pussy Willow, Grey Sallow

History & uses of Salix cinerea: 

Grey willow is often planted along loose banks to stabilise the soil with its fibrous roots.

Notes on planting Grey Pussy Willow:
This is a true wetland tree and loves a good bog. Happy to have the base of its trunk submerged for long periods of time, it is a great tree for areas that have regular flooding. A sunny site is essential.
Any soil type should be fine, although the books do advise against planting it on chalk: chalky sites also tend to be dry, so it may not be the chalk that is the problem.

Prepare your site before planting:
It is good to dig over the area where you intend to plant several months in advance. Destroy the weeds first: nettles, brambles and ground elder are tough and a glyphosate based weed-killer is the best way to remove them. Then dig the soil over; remove rocks, roots and other rubbish. Mix in well rotted compost or manure down to the depth of about 2 spades.
If you have a heavy clay soil, it might be too difficult to dig over for most of the year. Heavy clay is fertile soil, so you don't really need to improve it; killing the weeds is still necessary.

Remember to water establishing plants during dry weather for at least a year after planting.

Planting accessories:
Prepare your site for planting by killing the weeds and grass with Neudorff WeedFree Plus.
If you are planting in an area with rabbit and/or deer, you will need to use a protective plastic spiral for each plant, supported by a bamboo cane.
If your soil quality is poor, we recommend using mycorrhizal "friendly fungi" on the roots of new trees and shrubs.
You can also improve your soil with bonemeal organic fertiliser and Growmore.

After Care

After you plant your Grey Pussy Willow trees, the most important thing to do is water them in dry weather. You will also need to weed around the plants. Both of these will be necessary for at least a year after planting.
Water thoroughly but not too often: let the soil get close to drying out before watering your plants again.

Special notes on caring for Grey Pussy Willow:
Grey Pussy Willow is a very tough plant that shouldn't need special attention once it has established. If pruning is necessary, it is best do it in winter. Always hire a tree surgeon to remove large branches.

Hygiene & Diseases:
Dead, damaged or diseased wood can be pruned off as soon as it appears.
Disinfect your pruning tools between every cut if there is any sign of disease.
Burn or dispose of any diseased material, do not compost it.