The Poultry Keeper

Sparklepeeps · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 1947 Location: Cheshire

Ive seen a brilliant plant for the chicken run but I dont know what it is. (Ive even asked on the BBC Gardeners world forum but got no joy.)

Its like a small tree, the ones I have seen have been about Hip height. But all the branches come out of the top of the trunk and weep downwards. On really established 'specimens' (- get me!) the crown of weeping branches is really thick and it looks like an umbrella but I have seen a few that have been pruned and then the tree looks like a table top.

Someone suggested it might be weeping cherry, but I have seen some of those where the weeping branches are at all different heights and dont form that tight umberella appearance.

Id like one in my chicken run because I think it would offer perfect shade and cover from the rain. Can you help me?

Woodburner · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:00 pm Post subject:

very often you get a weeping variety of something grafted onto a trunk of the non weeping form. A common example is pussy willow.

Sparklepeeps · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 1947 Location: Cheshire

Google images isnt very good for pussy willow unfortunately. I must take a photo of the tree I have seen!

Woodburner · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:04 pm Post subject:

Try "salix caprea pendula"

Sparklepeeps · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 1947 Location: Cheshire

Ahhh! Well done! Yes this looks like what I have been seeing!

however, there is a bit of a difference between that, and this sorry looking specimen. Im wondering if different types get bushier, or if its just age that givies the table top appearance?

vanessa · Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 1235 Location: Correze

Definitely a willow. Lovely plant!

Woodburner · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:06 am Post subject:

There may be more or less vigorous varieties but this poorly specimen is pretty new. (It still has it's lable! Shocked

)
I'm not sure how well they will stand up to chickens. I'll have to get my books out tomorrow. (I don't feel like weight lifting tonight Wink

)

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7153 Location: isle of lewis

i do know that chickens eat willow ,when i prune my trees the goats get some they eat the leaves and strip the bark ,the sheep get some and the chickens get some ,they just strip all the leaves ,
i swear by willow as a medical plant it's a natural pain killer for livestock

nigel · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:02 am Post subject:

I use willowbark tea for headaches

Sparklepeeps · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 1947 Location: Cheshire

I passed a few gardens today with said plants in them, and they all had thick silver birch looking trunks, does that description sill fit with the weeping pussy willow?

Magpie · Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 550 Location: Norfolk

Alright I'm here now Laughing

- there are several shrubs/trees that are "top-worked" like this. What is done usually is that there are two or three separate parts that are grafted together to create the one plant. When buying one make very sure that the graft(s) are good and firm and as straight as possible. If there is a lot of grafting tape (like rubber bands) or wax around the graft I would go and look for a more mature specimen.

The Rootstock - often something quick and easy from seed.
The trunk (sometimes part of the rootstock) - something with a pretty bark is often used.
The top - this will be the weeping part. Or sometimes just a form with pretty leaves or flowers.

The commonest things are Salix caprea 'Kilmarnock' (used to be called 'Pendula') as you've seen above. It is essential that you prune these by removing some (about a third) of the weeping branches each year - be careful not to cut beyond the top graft which may be visible as a bulge or kink at the top of the straight trunk. In fact you can see the difference clearly on the photo of the young plant you posted - the trunk section has pale bark and the 'Kilmarnock' has darker purple-brown bark. This keeps the top open and growing and stops them draping about on the floor Rolling Eyes

Also seen a lot nowadays are another willow Salix integra 'Hakuro-nishiki' which has straight stems and small leaves splashed with cream and pink. I think it looks like a small animal has been sick over it but many people like them Twisted Evil

Less commonly seen are forms of cherry which are often done with Prunus serrula as the middle section as is has a really nice polished bark. Small winter/spring flowering types are usually used for the tops of these. I have also seen maples and birches used but these tend to be much less common.

Does that cover everything??? Laughing

Tim

Woodburner · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 10:20 am Post subject:

The silver birch bark ones are likely to be silver birch, not 100% sure whether they are grafted like the salix caprea or just a variety that takes that shape on its own.

I don't know what happened to the reply I posted last night. If anyone sees it could you let me know Wink

I also mentioned aspirin and suggested weeping pear, as it would grow out of range of the chooks without getting really big. ( I'm not sure how well the grafted ones would cope with chooks. )