How to Care for Stalks of Curly Willow

Remove any container, and plant the stalk in a hole at least three times the size of the container or root-ball. The curly willow does best in full to partial sun. If the container is degradable, such as burlap, the stalk may be left in the container as long as the edges are pulled away and folded down below the top of the soil. Plant the stalk so that its best side faces forward. Fill the hole with soil. Stake the stalk if it is in a windy, exposed area.

Create a water ring around the stalk. This will help to conserve water and direct it to the outer roots. Add 3 inches of mulch around the base of the tree. Water the stalks well during the growing season.

Prune off any injured limbs. If the stalk was grown in a container, no further pruning is needed the first year. If the plant has been transplanted from the ground, cut the main stalk back to just above a healthy bud or stem, which is undamaged and still shows signs of growth. This will help to compensate for any root loss during transplanting. If you want to limit the height of the curly willow, in late winter prune the stalk back to its original growing point from the last season.

Check the stalk regularly for diseases or insects. The curly willow is susceptible to fungi, so keep debris away from the base of the plant and water it only during the daytime. Keep weeds away from the stalk to discourage insect pests. Aphids and most other insect pests can be controlled by using insecticidal soap.

Feed the stalk a high-nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen will promote green leafy growth. If there is already sufficient nitrogen in the soil, do not add more as this will discourage flower growth. Do not add fertilizer late in the growing season, as the growth encouraged by the feeding may be damaged by winter weather.