I've lived in my home for 2 yrs. now in Lake Elsinore, CA and the first year we were here our weeping willow looked great- nice dark green leaves touching the ground. The second summer it was okay but this summer so many of it's leaves turned yellow and dropped off. I'm sure it gets plenty of water. The last 2 summers have been extremely hot here but I think it's normal for the area however we haven't had any rain in about a year and a half. Last winter froze and killed some of my trees and plants. Does this have anything to do with why the willow looks so sad(no pun intended)? I see kinda like green moss looking stuff growing on the base of the trunk and a few of the branches at the very top are completely bare. I've never fertilized and don't really know how. Is there something I can do to pep it up and make it beautiful again?
It's possible it is the dry causing it. Willows are very water hungry and grow along streams with roots in the water. Most of our water ways here in Victoria (Aust) are being cleared of them because they are so thirsty and a noxious weed. Our water situation continues to be dire. Still no decent rains over winter, holding our breath for spring. The leaf loss is often a way for the tree to conserve what water it has. Sort of closing off the multiple bedrooms and making do with the basics. Liz
Is it just some leaves turning yellow and dropping, but many others staying green? Because that's different that discoloration on all the leaves with some falling.
