A Dappled Willow With Brown Leaves in the Winter

Identification

• Dappled willow is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9, though it may grow better in the more limited hardiness range of 5 through 7. It is a small shrub, usually growing to heights of between four and six feet with an eventual spread of five to seven. Under very good growing conditions, it is possible for dappled willow to reach heights and widths of up to 15 feet. It prefers moist soil and full sunlight, though it will put up with drought more readily than many other species of willow (Salix spp.). The cultivar name “Hakuro-nishiki” is synonymous with “Albo-maculata.”

Winter Leaves

• Because dappled willow is deciduous, it does not normally have leaves of any color in the wintertime. However, its leaves do turn brown after its fall color display, and it is possible that leaves may persist into part or all of the winter. If this is the case, your tree may have some brown leaves during that time of year. It is not a cause for concern. However, if you see brown leaves any time of year other than late fall or winter, you should probably worry.

Pests and Diseases

• Unfortunately, dappled willow is susceptible to a range of pests and diseases, so brown leaves can indicate bad news. Insect predation may cause leaves to turn brown, as can blights, galls, mildews, leaf spots, scabs, rusts and cankers. Black canker, for instance, can cause large black patches and kill leaves. Blight or scab can brown leaves just as they are newly emerging in springtime.

Other Seasonal Color

• Healthy dappled willow displays many colors throughout the year. During the wintertime, when its branches are usually bare, they turn a bright red color. Its leaves turn yellow and drop late in the year, and reemerge in springtime a soft pink color. This eventually matures to a variegated mix of light green and cream. In late spring or early summer, when new leaves are still appearing, the three colors may all mingle at once. Vigorous late winter pruning will both control size and encourage lots of new variegated leaves to grow.