Arkansas Desert Willow Tree

Description

• Desert willow grows in the form of a large shrub or small tree with a mature height of about 25 feet with a nearly equal spread. Dark brown, scaly bark covers the trunk and the stems have a sticky and hairy texture. The 3 to 6 inches long, deciduous foliage is light green in color with pointed ends. The tree is hardy in USDA Zones 7b to 11.

Flowers

• The large flowers of the desert willow are especially showy, blooming between April and August in panicles of 20 or more. The 1 ½ inch-long, highly fragrant blooms have broad lips and are trumpet shaped. The flowers with their yellow or white throats come in a range of shades of lavender, purple or pink. Some trees also produce red to pure white blooms. Pollination with another close-by desert willow leads to 4- to 12-inch long, seed filled pods that persist throughout winter and attract birds.

Growing Conditions

• The tree does best in a well-drained soil that is not prone to wetness during winter, adapting well to acidic or alkaline soil. Desert willow will tolerate temperature as low as 0 degrees F in zone 7. In case of severe freeze, the tree recovers readily. Though the tree will grow in heavy, clay soil, the height is affected in these sites. Desert willow tree is extremely drought tolerant and thrives in areas of full sun.

Uses

• The sturdy wood of the desert willow made it a popular choice in the Native American tribes for making hunting bows. Desert willow wood is not weak like the other willows and is used for fence posts and the twigs are used in basket making. The trees are used in landscapes for creating tall hedges and screens given their dense growth and multi-branched form.