QUESTION
We live adjacent to a golf course which is naturally wet near Seattle Washington.
What is a good or tree to plant in a slight bank between our property and the
golf course. Is there a specie of dwarf willow that will tolerate ground water
and help to stabilize the soil; what tree do you suggest?
ANSWER
Thank you for your enquiry regarding willow trees.
Almost all willows will tolerate and flourish in a damp soil (with the exception
of some alpine species) so a dwarf willow would be a good choice in this situation.
Salix caprea ‘pendula’ is an umbrella shaped tree with attractive
weeping branches producing silver catkins in February. A lower growing variety
of willow such as Salix alba ‘chermesina’ with its brilliant orange-
scarlet branches in winter should help to stabilise the soil in the bank.
For a more unusual effect you might consider Salix erythroflexuosa a curious
ornamental small tree with orange-yellow twisted and contorted branches ideal
for indoor arrangements when cut.