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Willow Hybrid

Salix x 'Austree'
$9890
  • In Stock
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Delivery and Shipping

Shipping

To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.

 

Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.

*If you have found your zone already, it will be highlighted in the table below.

Standard Shipping Rates

At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.

From To S&H
$0 $19.99 $24.99
$20 $49.99 $29.99
$50 $69.99 $34.99
$70 $99.99 $39.99
$100 $129.99 $44.99
$130 $149.99 $48.99
$150 $150+ Approx 28%

Click here to see our full rates

Plant Highlights

Willow Hybrid highlights at a glance!

Plant Highlights

  • Brand
    Nature Hills' Choice
  • Botanical Name
    Salix x 'Austree'
  • Growing Zones
    4-9
  • Mature Height
    60 - 70 feet
  • Mature Spread
    15 - 30 feet
  • Sun Exposure
    Full Sun
  • Moisture
    Moderate to High
  • Soil
    Widely Adaptable
  • Growth Rate
    Fast
  • Flower Color
    Yellow
  • Fall Color
    Yellow
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Pruning Time
    When Dormant
  • Bloom Period
    Late Spring

Austree Willow Hybrid Tree Grows 6-10 Feet a Year!

  • Super-Fast Grower
  • Wonderfully Thick Privacy Screen
  • Disease and Pest Resistant
  • Also Known as Austree
  • Effective Sound Barrier
  • Get Privacy All Year Long When Planted Close Together
  • Controls Soil Erosion
  • Controls Wind and Snow

We've all been there. The next-door neighbor just can't keep their garage workshop tidy. The vacant lot next door was sold to a convenience store chain. The old chain-link fence doesn't really "float your boat". Your teenage daughter loves to have her friends over to swim in your new above-ground pool.

If you need a dense privacy screen YESTERDAY, then this is a great solution. You'll get a living green wall by the end of the first season.

Even as a young, newly planted tree, Willow Hybrid (Salix mutsudana x Salix alba 'Austree') grows an amazing 6-10 feet a year. Once it's established in your soil, it can put on as much as 15 feet in a single growing season. That is fast!

People also call this tree Austree Willow and Hybrid Willow. Whatever you call it, if you need a super speedy privacy screen (and receive enough rainfall in your area), this is your tree!

One of the Speediest Trees for Sale

Planted in full sun or part shade and given plenty of water, this Willow will block any undesirable view you have in as little as a year.

We recommend that you plant it where it can grow and develop naturally to reach its mature height and spread. After all, you don't want to make more work for yourself!

Large, hedge-like plantings can screen out neighbors or unsightly views. They block wind, screen out ugly views, reduce dust, and reduce noise.

The Willow Hybrid is a deciduous tree that drops its leaves in the winter. However, even the branches are an effective privacy hedge and windbreak all season long. Just follow our planting guidelines:

For a dense privacy screen this year, plant them 3 feet apart in single rows.

For a windbreak, plant a double staggered row 5 feet apart using a zig-zag pattern.

Nature Hills Austree Willow Hybrid trees are not invasive or messy. They won't sucker, colonize or set seed all over the place. Instead, you'll just enjoy a fine-textured plant that grows super-fast and blocks wind and ugly views for you.

You'll love the graceful, soft look of this tree. It will add a lot of motion to your landscape, as the wind plays through the leaves. Order enough to complete your project today - we WILL sell out of inventory of this popular tree.

How to Use Willow Hybrid in the Landscape

This is a versatile tree that works hard to provide beautiful privacy. No one ever said these plants needed to be planted in a straight row, but many people chose to do so.

Plant them along an existing fence to easily and quickly extend the height. Or, create a living fence from scratch for a fraction of the cost of traditional fencing.

Stop soil erosion on slopes and ditches very quickly by planting Austree Willow Hybrid.

For a more natural look, plant Hybrid Willow Hybrid in wide, undulating drifts on large open areas. Just vary the space between plants, going from as close as 4 -5 feet, or as far apart as 10 - 15 feet. You'll also vary the number of trees used. Plant two or three trees in some areas, then go back to a single curving row.

To effectively block wind, dust, and snow, leave a few places open with no plants. That's where the snow will accumulate, so plan to put these open areas well out of your way.

You can also use this tree 30 feet from your driveway to block the prevailing winds. It will help reduce the amount of snow you'll need to shovel. Big bonus!

Specially developed to be a very fast-growing plant, everyone soon realized that it makes an incredible windbreak or plant to include in a shelterbelt because of that fast rate of growth.

Farmers and ranchers have been known to plant a row of this tree, along with a slower-growing row of Norway Spruce to get both fast results and long-term protection from the wind and snow.

Fill any voids or holes in a mixed planting bed with this fast-growing plant. You'll appreciate the soft, green look. The small leaves resemble those of one of its parents, the beautiful Salix matsudana.

This nice tree has bright green new growth in early spring. Try it in a Rain Garden to help capture and filter runoff water on low-lying areas of your property.

Or, line the edges of a water feature with these pretty plants. They'll perform beautifully and add a wonderfully mellow vibe. They'll act as beautiful supporting actors for more colorful water garden perennials.

#ProPlantTips for Care

Extremely pest and disease-resistant, the Willow Hybrid is hardy from Canada to Florida and can thrive in almost any soil. It's trouble-free and will work in extreme temperatures from cold to hot.

Austree Willow Hybrid is a cross between the Salix alba (White Willow) and Salix matsudana (Chinese Willow). From its parents, the Austree has upright branches, fast growth, and narrow leaves that are light green with a lighter underside.

Hybrid Willows do appreciate good moisture to put on the maximum amount of growth and to remain stress-free. Medium moisture is best, at least an inch of water a week. This plant can tolerate wetter areas better than most.

Keep the lowest branches on the tree!

In fact, if you want to encourage more lower branches, just cut the plant back after the first season on your ground. Let the new growth pop up again quickly from the established rootstock. Cutting the plants back after the first season will generate low branching which is most desired for snow fencing or windbreaks.

Don't plant Austree Willow Hybrid near your septic or drainage fields as the root system may be aggressive in some areas. It's wonderful in open, exposed areas for offering some wind protection and screening.

Give it plenty of room to reach its mature size. Don't plant them too close to your house, give them at least 40 feet of room.

Add a tremendous amount of value to your home with a soft, green living wall. If you see this tree in stock online, place your order right now! You don't want to miss out.

Customer Reviews

Based on 11 reviews
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C
Carrie
I hope it is ok

The willow arrived ok but I noticed the dirt was fairly sticky and had what I thought were fertilizer granules but I am wondering if they were eggs or larvae. I wish I could upload a picture - very nervous because I don’t want to introduce something bad.

Hi Carrie,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your observations with us. We completely understand your concerns about the sticky dirt and those small granules—you want to make sure your new willow arrives healthy and pest-free. What you've noticed is most likely fertilizer pellets, which are commonly included in our shipment soil to help your plant settle in and get off to a strong start.

However, your caution with unfamiliar textures is very wise! While it's uncommon for insects or larvae to hitch a ride, if you're worried, we recommend gently inspecting the soil and plant every couple of days. You might try lightly rinsing the base of the plant and surrounding soil with clean water to help remove any stray debris. Additionally, if you see anything that looks unusual or you’d like a second opinion, please don’t hesitate to reach out with a photo via email or our chat support — we’re happy to guide you.

We truly appreciate your attention to detail and want your willow — and garden — to thrive beautifully!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

J
Jd
Looks Promising! **UPDATE**

Update to review from 09/06/20We bought 15 trees, spread between 3-4’ and 4-5’ trees. They were delivered and planted in September. Some of them were pretty sparse and scrawny and I was initially concerned. Now, 10 months in the ground later and these trees are HUGE! They are pushing 12’ tall and have at least 3x in width. (Yes, 12 feet!)They are not yet creating a full thick privacy screen (from my god awful neighbor, which is the primary goal) but based on the growth so far, feeling fairly optimistic. Aesthetically, they are so calming. They flow with the breeze and remind me of being on vacation. I wish I could post pictures here, I’d be happy to share for anyone considering these. We’re super happy and highly recommend. We have several friends all now ordering these trees.

Dear Jd,

Thank you so much for taking the time to update your review and share your wonderful journey with your trees! We’re thrilled to hear that your 15 trees have flourished so beautifully in just 10 months—growing to 12 feet tall and spreading nicely is truly fantastic. It sounds like your concerted effort—and patience—is paying off, creating the calming, flowing oasis you envisioned despite the privacy challenges.

If you ever want tips on helping them fill in faster—for example, strategic pruning or adding supplementary planting to boost your privacy screen—don’t hesitate to reach out. Also, sharing your pictures with your friends or on online forums might just inspire others in your area looking for solutions to similar landscaping hurdles. We’d love to see how your garden is shaping up as well, so please feel encouraged to email any photos to us anytime!

Thank you again for your heartfelt recommendation; your happiness is truly the best reward. Please know we’re always here for any plant care guidance you may need along the way. Wishing you continued joy and greenery in your outdoor space!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

J
JD
Looks Promising! **UPDATE**

Update to review from 09/06/20We bought 15 trees, spread between 3-4’ and 4-5’ trees. They were delivered and planted in September. Some of them were pretty sparse and scrawny and I was initially concerned. Now, 10 months in the ground later and these trees are HUGE! They are pushing 12’ tall and have at least 3x in width. (Yes, 12 feet!)They are not yet creating a full thick privacy screen (from my god awful neighbor, which is the primary goal) but based on the growth so far, feeling fairly optimistic. Aesthetically, they are so calming. They flow with the breeze and remind me of being on vacation. I wish I could post pictures here, I’d be happy to share for anyone considering these. We’re super happy and highly recommend. We have several friends all now ordering these trees.

Hi JD,

Thank you so much for taking the time to update your review and share this wonderful progress! We’re thrilled to hear that your trees have taken off with such amazing growth—from scrawny starts to impressive 12-foot beauties is fantastic news. Your patience and care are clearly paying off!

We completely understand wanting a full privacy screen to block out that challenging view, and it sounds like you’re on the right track. It can take a little time for the density to fully develop, especially as the trees continue filling out in width. To further encourage a lush privacy barrier, you might consider occasional pruning techniques that promote fuller lateral growth once your trees are well established; we’d be happy to provide resources or guidance on that whenever you need.

It’s also lovely to hear these trees create such a calming, “vacation-like” vibe in your space — that’s exactly the kind of garden magic we love to see. If you or your friends do want to share photos, feel free to send them our way! We’d love to show fellow customers your fantastic results as inspiration.

Thanks again for your recommendation and encouraging feedback. Please know we’re here for any support along your planting journey.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

J
Jenny
Looks promising!

We just ordered 16 of these, 8 of the 3-4’ and 8 of the 4-5’. They came nicely packaged and with great growth on them. Two of the 3-4’ trees are a bit small and questionable if they even make the 3’ height so that kind of stinks. I hope they root and take off and catch up to the others. Let’s see how they do between now and winter and then full season next year. I think this result will determine if we buy from nature hills again.

Hello Jenny,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your recent order! We truly appreciate your detailed feedback and are glad to hear that most of your trees arrived well-packaged and with strong growth.

We’re sorry to hear that a couple of the 3-4’ trees seem smaller than expected. Sometimes height can vary slightly, but if they are healthy and have good roots, we’re hopeful they’ll catch up and flourish. To give these trees the best start, you might consider a thorough watering schedule and applying a balanced fertilizer to encourage healthy root development. Additionally, choosing a protected spot for winter will help them get established before next growing season.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with updates or any concerns. We want to ensure you feel confident and supported as you nourish your new trees, and we’d be happy to assist you if you consider a future order.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

J
JD
Looks promising!

We just ordered 16 of these, 8 of the 3-4’ and 8 of the 4-5’. They came nicely packaged and with great growth on them. Two of the 3-4’ trees are a bit small and questionable if they even make the 3’ height so that kind of stinks. I hope they root and take off and catch up to the others. Let’s see how they do between now and winter and then full season next year. I think this result will determine if we buy from nature hills again.

Hi JD,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with your recent order! We’re glad to hear that your trees arrived well packaged and with great initial growth—that’s always encouraging. We completely understand your concern about the two smaller 3-4’ trees, and we appreciate your patience in seeing how they develop. Sometimes young trees can surprise us with a bit of slow growth after transplanting before they really take off. To help improve rooting and growth, we recommend keeping the soil consistently moist but well-drained and giving them ample space to grow. If you need any personalized tips or have questions as your trees settle in over the coming months, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

We’re rooting for those trees to thrive this season and hope they flourish enough to welcome you back to Nature Hills for future purchases!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Willow Hybrid

Willow Hybrid

From $9890

Growing Zones

4-9

Mature Height

60 - 70 feet

Mature Spread

15 - 30 feet

Sun

Full Sun

Foliage Color

N/A

Fall Color

Yellow

Flower Color

Yellow
View product

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