Everything You Need To Know about Willow Hybrid Trees

Willow hybrid trees, also known as Austree willows, grow 6–10 feet per year, creating a dense, living privacy screen that can block out unsightly views and unwanted noise. They can grow to a towering height of 50–75 feet, much taller than most neighborhood regulations allow traditional fences to be. Willow hybrid trees also act as a windbreak even in winter when they have no leaves because their branch pattern is so dense.

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance answer to your needs, willow hybrid trees might be a good fit for you. Here’s everything you need to know about willow hybrid trees.

Willow Hybrid Trees at a Glance

• Fast-growing
• Tall privacy screen or windbreak
• Disease-resistant
• Help reduce soil erosion
• Cold-hardy

Appearance

Willow hybrid trees grow long, upright branches with slim, narrow leaves. The leaves have light green tops and are paler green on the bottom. The trees grow at a fast rate of 6–10 feet per year, with a maximum height of 50–75 feet. Their maximum spread is 20–30 feet.

Willow Hybrid Tree Specifications

Hardiness Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones indicate the regions where plants can grow based on minimum winter temperatures. Willow hybrid trees grow in Zones 4–9, which covers almost the entire country, with exceptions like southern Florida and Minnesota.

Understanding your zone is crucial for plant survival. As Kevin O’Connor and Jenn Nawada discussed on Ask This Old House, Zone 4a means temperatures can drop to negative 30 degrees Fahrenheit. “So, you know, this will survive in those temperatures, especially with snow cover, and you have, you know, extra moisture and stuff in there,” Nawada noted about hardy plants.

Planting

The best time to plant willow hybrid trees are spring and fall. We recommend following these steps:

• Choose a planting site that receives at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day. You don’t need to worry about finding a site that’s sheltered from wind since hybrid willows act as a vigorous windbreak.
• Clear away any turfgrass, debris, or weeds.
• Dig a hole the same depth as the root ball and twice the width.
• Remove the root ball from the container and place it in the center of the hole.
• Backfill with soil halfway, then water thoroughly. Finish backfilling once the water drains away, tamping down as you go to eliminate any air pockets.
• Apply a 1–2 inch layer of mulch to the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

To plant a dense privacy screen, space your willow hybrid trees 3 feet apart. If you want to create a windbreak, plant a staggered, double row of trees 5 feet apart in a zig-zag pattern.

Growing Conditions

Willow hybrids are hardy trees that can thrive in a wide variety of soil conditions and do well in both full sun and partial shade.

• Sun and shade: Willow hybrid trees grow in full sun or at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day. They can also grow in partial shade, which is roughly four hours of direct sunlight.
• Soil: Hybrid willow trees are highly adaptable to a range of soil compositions and pH levels but prefer slightly acidic or slightly alkaline to neutral. The soil must be moist and well-draining. Because willow hybrids are not drought-tolerant, they benefit from a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around their root zone.
• Watering: You should water newly planted willow hybrids twice a week for two to three months. After that, these trees need deep, irregular watering of about 1 inch per week, with slightly more given during hot, dry spells in summer.
• Fertilizing: Feed your hybrid willow tree annually in early spring, as soon as new growth emerges. Use a slow-release, balanced fertilizer with an NPK value of 10-10-10.
• Pruning: Willow hybrid trees do not require pruning in order to maintain their shape. They are considered to be self-pruning, meaning the wind will take care of any overlong branches, which will fall off naturally.

When planting your willow hybrid, create a soil berm around the circumference of the planting hole to act as a catch basin. This technique helps direct water to the root zone during the critical establishment period, especially important for moisture-loving willows.

FAQ About Willow Hybrid Trees