Harry Lauder's walking stick 'Contorta' is a deciduous, spontaneous mutation tree in the birch family (Betulaceae) discovered in 1863 in an English hedgerow. This unusual tree has a multi-trunk, rounded habit whose branches become drooping with age. The contorted branches, crumpled-looking leaves and yellow spring catkins give this tree year-round appeal. The fruit is an edible nut enjoyed by wildlife. 'Contorta' prefers full sun to part shade in organically rich moist, well-drained soils. It is drought-tolerant once established. Prune root suckers to prevent thicket formation. Otherwise only prune to remove diseased or damaged limbs. Use this tree as a specimen in a prominent place so the year-round interest can be appreciated. It can also be grown in a container or used as a hedge. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Generally, problem-free but can experience powdery mildew or blight. Avoid wet conditions to help prevent this. Tent caterpillars are an insect pest. VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.