Hi I have a weeping willow in my front garden, had it 15 years and is about 6 foot high, flowers in the summer, by flowering mean grean leaves in an umbrella type structure then in thewinter the leaves die and pussy willows develop. This year it attempted to produce green leaves very spartan and they have died, about half of the entwined branches have become brown and brittle as if dead the others are moist insiide if you break them. Has it died or is there a chance it may revive by next summer. It is a really or was a really nice esxample in fact the show piece of my garden so am anxious to try anything to help revive it. Hopeful of Blackpool Thanking whoever for their kind consideration of this matter Steve
Hello Steven, It seems that your willow is still alive, as you indicated that some of the branches are still moist when you break them. I am assume that you are referring to live green wood. I am not sure of what the cause is for the defoliation, and it is difficult to diagnose without pictures, or other clues. Are there signs of insects? Disease? What are the site conditions? Without knowing the problem it is difficult to suggest a solution. You could consider propagating your willow by taking cuttings, should the problem cause death of your plant. Raakel
Thanks Raakel Done a bit of Willow sleuthing and on investigation areas of the main trunk of the willow at the top before all the branches sprout out the bark is brittle and flakes away easily, on doing so it revealed white candy floss like sacks about 3mm in size, also there appears to be a couple of burrow holes perfectly formed going into the trunk about 4-6mm wide. On the floor at the base of the willow there are signs of fine wood shavings too. I did not see any insect activity though....... any ideas Thanks again Steve
There are a number of species of Salix which could be called "weeping willows". These trees in general have weak or soft woods that are prone to diseases and attacks by insects. They are short lived and not suited to residential gardens - unless these are large. Their roots tend to have a knack for heading for any sources of water - to the peril of sewage and drainage lines. In your case, I suspect that boring insects are to blame. In the willow, the borers may be primary or secondary invaders. In the latter, they are attracted by damaged, dead or dying wood. But once they are there, they are difficult to get rid of and will continue to cause damage. You are better off removing the tree. If you really like the pussy willow, take any of the remaining healthy branches and root them as Rakaal suggested. But, if it were my garden, I would choose an ornamental tree more suited to a residential garden.
