X Skyrise™ Hybrid Salix trees are sterile male hybrid clones that are hardy and disease resistant. The original trees were discovered in Illinois in 1991, and they can grow 5 ft. or more per year. They can be used for privacy screens, windbreaks, shade, dust barriers, soil conservation, erosion control and general landscaping.

• Skyrise™ trees natural growth pattern is to branch from the ground up, but they can be trimmed and trained into a shade tree shape.

• They have proven hardy to -30 °F. Skyrise™ trees grow well on a wide range of soils, including very wet locations.
• They do not spread by seed or root suckers and have an estimated life span of over 40 years.
• Skyrise™ Hybrid Salix are propagated from hardy stock and grown at our nursery site in northern Indiana.

The Secret to Incredible Growth:

Proper site preparation is the key. Deep ripping or tilling of the site is required, as well as weed and grass control. Mulching and supplemental watering the first year will also enhance growth. Skyrise™ Hybrid Salix must be planted in full sun for growth of 5-6 ft. per year or more.

The Facts:

• November through May are the best months to plant (provided the soil is not frozen) the bareroot forms of Skyrise™ trees. Although we do plant well into the summer, regular watering is critical for good growth. Potted plants can be planted any time of the year.
• Skyrise™ do lose their leaves in the winter. However, they make an excellent year-round windbreak due to their dense branch structure.
• Plant Skyrise™ trees 5-8 ft. apart in a single row or 6-10 ft. apart in a double staggered row for a thick windbreak or screen.
• Skyrise™ Hybrid Salix are sensitive to herbicides, so protect them from lawn care and crop herbicides.
• Skyrise™ will grow to 50 ft. tall and bush out to 20 ft. wide. 5-7 ft. of growth per year is common the first few years under good conditions. Roots extend 5-10 ft. beyond the drip line of the trees. Shade tree form will grow to 40 ft. wide by 50 ft. tall.
• Skyrise™ trees will perform well in moist to wet swampy conditions. For superior growth, supplemental water may be needed during dry conditions the first one to two years. A deep watering of the root zone is best every 5 to 7 days during dry periods of the growing season.
• Skyrise™ are very easy trees to grow provided you keep roots moist at all times during the planting process.
• Never put fertilizer directly in the planting hole unless you use our slow release planting tablets.
• Keep Skyrise™ trees in a bucket of water during the planting process. If you wish, you may immerse the roots for up to 8 hours before planting. It is extremely important to keep the roots from drying out even for a few minutes before or during planting.