Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa': Corkscrew Willow

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UF/IFAS Extension Administration
P.O. Box 110210
Gainesville, FL 32611

* Topics: Willow | Southern Trees Fact Sheets | Salicaceae (taxonomic family)

Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa': Corkscrew Willow1
Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2
Introduction

A small to medium-sized, upright spreading tree of about 30 feet in height with a 15-foot-spread, the main ornamental feature of this plant is the contorted and twisted branches and twigs. Branches arise from the trunk at an acute angle and grow up almost parallel to the trunk before they curve back to the horizontal. The winter branch pattern is most interesting and probably accounts for the popularity of the tree.

Figure 1.

Middle-aged Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa': Corkscrew Willow
General Information

Scientific name: Salix matsudana

Pronunciation: SAY-licks mat-soo-DAY-nuh

Common name(s): Corkscrew Willow, Pekin Willow, Hankow Willow

Family: Salicaceae

USDA hardiness zones: 4B through 8A (Fig. 2)

Origin: not native to North America

Invasive potential: little invasive potential

Uses: specimen; Bonsai

Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the tree

Figure 2.

Range
Description

Height: 25 to 35 feet

Spread: 15 to 20 feet

Crown uniformity: symmetrical

Crown shape: oval, upright/erect

Crown density: moderate

Growth rate: fast

Texture: fine

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3)

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: serrate

Leaf shape: linear, lanceolate

Leaf venation: pinnate

Leaf type and persistence: deciduous

Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: yellow

Fall characteristic: showy

Flower

Flower color: unknown

Flower characteristics: not showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: unknown

Fruit length: less than .5 inch

Fruit covering: dry or hard

Fruit color: unknown

Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; not showy; fruit/leaves a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches don't droop; not showy; typically multi-trunked; thorns

Pruning requirement: needed for strong structure

Breakage: susceptible to breakage

Current year twig color: gray, brown

Current year twig thickness: thin

Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: full sun, partial sun or partial shade

Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; acidic; alkaline; well-drained; occasionally wet

Drought tolerance: moderate

Aerosol salt tolerance: high

Other

Roots: not a problem

Winter interest: yes

Outstanding tree: no

Ozone sensitivity: unknown

Verticillium wilt susceptibility: resistant

Pest resistance: sensitive to pests/diseases

Figure 3.

Foliage

Use and Management

The tree makes a nice accent or specimen in a residential or commercial landscape but does not have the long-life needed for a permanent street tree. The tree has the same undesirable features of other willows including weak wood and insect problems. Weak branch crotches can make the tree fairly prone to breakage as it grows older. Also very prone to trunk and branch decay initiated by mechanical injuries. Like many willows, this one does best in moist areas but will tolerate some drought. Surface roots can be a problem as the tree grows older. Locate carefully since it is usually short-lived with aggressive roots and breaks apart as it gets older. Not for general planting but can be used for an occasional specimen.

The cultivar `Pendula' has a fine-texture weeping form reminiscent of a water garden. Plant it near water to create a quieting effect. Other cultivars exist with different canopy forms and foliage variations.

The tree is propagated by cuttings.
Pests

Aphids cause deposits of honeydew on lower leaves. Spraying large trees may not be necessary as predatory insects will bring the aphid population down.

Gypsy moth enjoys eating willows.

Imported willow leaf beetles are metallic blue and the larvae are black. The larvae do most of the feeding on leaves. The adults eat the entire leaf while larvae skeletonize the leaves. There are two generations per year. Damage is usually not severe enough to warrant control.

Lace bugs cause mottling and yellowing of the leaves. The insects are small, found under the leaves, and have transparent wings with dark veins.

Poplar and willow borer in the trunk may be serious on newly planted trees. In spring the insects expel frass through openings in the trunk. The frass clings to the bark. Irrigate willows until well established.
Diseases

Usually none are serious enough to warrant control.

Crown gall causes galls to form near the soil line or farther up the plant. Take out infected plants and do not replant in the same area for at least two years.

Willow scab attacks and kills young leaves within a very short time. The fungus enters twigs, kills back the young shoots and causes cankers. Olive green spore masses can be seen along the veins on the undersides of leaves. Another fungus, Physalospora miyabeana , attacks willow and the two fungi in combination cause willow blight. Prune out infected branches and use resistant species.

Black canker causes dark brown spots on the leaves. Whitish gray lesions with black borders appear on the twigs and stems. Prune out infected branches and use resistant species. Weeping willow appears to be resistant.

Many fungi cause cankers on willow and infected branches are pruned out. If the trunk is infected and girdled, the tree will die. Keep trees healthy by regular fertilization.

Many fungi cause leaf spots but are not serious enough to warrant preventive sprays. Rake up the fallen diseased leaves in the fall.

Powdery mildew causes a white coating on the leaves. The disease is usually not serious.

Rust causes yellow spots on the lower surface of leaves and, if severe, defoliation. Rake up and destroy leaves from diseased trees.

Tar spot causes black, raised spots on leaves which are harmless. Rake up and dispose of fallen leaves from diseased trees at the end of the growing season.
Footnotes

1.

This document is ENH-735, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date November 1993. Revised December 2006. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.

Contact Information

Phone: (352) 392-1761
Email: sfyl@ifas.ufl.edu

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