#stream bank

   It’s time for us northern hemisphere folks to start thinking about spring planting, whether it’s imminent or still three months off. Aside from my curly willow, which is an ornamental cultivar that I want just for prettiness, I’m hoping to start some cuttings of the Streamco willow on a streambank that needs support. I tried this a year or two ago, but a small flood in the spring took my cuttings away before they could get firmly established.

This is a photo of one of the clumps we planted years ago in a spot where flooding can be an issue. Streamco willow is a dense, upright shrub instead of a tree. Those clumps are roughly 5 yards/meters high. I tried to look up the latin name and found this interesting site advertising the virtues of Streamco for basketry (@woodelf68 it’s like they heard you!).

https://www.lakeshorewillows.com/site/salix-purpurea-streamco

   Oh. Last evening I walked the dogs down by the creek. The water was burbling cheerfully, the wildflowers were lovely, the cats and dogs excited. I walked up one side of the creek and had a great time until I returned home on the other side and found.

   My young curly willow, that I started as a cutting probably four years ago. I planted it by the creek, watched over it as it grew, and pruned it a little when needed. It got taller than I am last summer, and was poised to really take off this year. Except. It is standing there with every leaf brown and withered. It was green and lively when I passed by it just two days previously. Now it look like it has been sprayed with poison!

   Given the time and effort I put into this little tree, I feel very downhearted about losing it. Especially since I have no idea what went wrong! It was the picture of good health, and planted in just the right spot for a willow.

What it looked like last spring:

This is the ‘mother’ that I took cuttings from. It has such a unique shape.

Before:

After: