Corkscrew Willow

Commonly known for its contortion talent, the Corkscrew Willow tree is a unique tree to say the least. Twisted, warped twigs start slim and olive-green when young, then mature to a gray-brown. Much like the twigs, its leaves are often twisted with simple, narrow foliage, and finely serrated. Each leaf is a glossy green above and off-white beneath. “Catkins,” the fuzzy pale yellow-green flowers appear in early spring. As these blooms mature, fruit appears in clusters, small light brown fuzzy capsules that contain many small fuzzy seeds. Corkscrew Willows could be potentially dangerous to dogs if consumed in large quantities. It is also susceptible to many pests but the effects are rarely serious with the most lasting pests being the willow leaf beetles. Many diseases are possible such as powdery mildew, but these diseases usually do not require treatment.