Dwarf Willow Tree | Types Of Willow Trees
A Quick Guide to the Dwarf Willow Tree
The Dwarf Willow Tree, also known as the Salix herbacea, is a type of tiny willow plant. This plant is well adapted to cold weather and is found in several areas such as Northern Europe, Iceland, and Northeast Canada, as well as many other cold regions around the world.
The Dwarf Willow Tree is one of the smallest woody plants in the world, reaching a growth of only 1 to 6 cm in height. Due to the fact that this tree grows in such a harsh environment, it can take a very long time to grow; some of these willow trees are over 200 years old. Unlike the common willow tree, the Dwarf Willow tree resembles a low lying shrub that stays close to the ground; in fact, this plant looks nothing at all like a tree.
In the wild, the Dwarf Willow tree is a food source for several types of animals. Some of the animals that eat this plant include muskox, the Artic hare, caribou, and lemmings. Indigenous people in the regions where this plant grows have always used it for a variety of purposes; the twigs are burned for heat and cooking, plus there are many medicinal uses for the Dwarf Willow. This plant has been used to stop tooth pain, reduce bleeding, plus it is used to aid in indigestion. Some native people also use the plant for food, as it tastes very sweet and is high in vitamin C.
Some other types of willow trees that are common around the world include the Weeping Willow. This is a very fast growing tree, and as a result it is a favorite with landscapers. For landscaping purposes, this tree works best in areas where there are large expanses of lawn. Another reason that the Weeping Willow tree is popular is because it provides a wide canopy of shade, plus it can grow up to 30 or 40 feet high. This tree will do well in most types of soil, but it does prefer a more sandy soil, and cooler temperatures.
Another type of willow tree is the Contorted Willow Tree; this tree is very closely related to the Weeping Willow so it does have many of the same features. The Contorted Willow has dark green leaves and can grow from 20 to 40 feet high. Because the features of this tree are so like the Weeping Willow, but with some remarkable differences, it has become a popular landscaping tree. This is especially true for people who live in cities and tend to have smaller yards.
Included in the willow trees that are most well known is the Black Willow Tree; this tree does best in harsh, cold environments and is found in the wilderness of the colder regions of the world. Unlike the Weeping Willow, the Black Willow is more like a shrub, much like the Dwarf Willow tree. Unlike the Dwarf Willow the Black Willow can get very big, growing to heights of 40 to 50 feet, where the dwarf variety will likely never grow past 4-inches.
The Dwarf Willow tree can be used as a ground cover type of plant if you are looking for shrubs that will stay close to the ground. Growing this plant should not be too difficult, unless you live in a very hot climate. In cooler climates the plant will grow slowly, but it is one of the few tree species that you can use for landscaping purposes if you live in the Arctic.
The Dwarf Willow may not be widely available at your local nursery, but it shouldn’t be too difficult to have ordered in.
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