We have a willow in our yard that isn’t doing well. Recently I asked an arborist to come take a look and give us recommendations as to how we can help nurse it back to health (if that is possible)… first recommendation, a good ring of mulch. Here’s our bare, sad little willow tree…
I thought it would be helpful, whether the tree survives or not, to document the state of the damage at this point so that we may look back on the details and learn from it. We aren’t sure whether it all started as mechanical damage due to a weedwacker or whether it’s some sort of frost/sun scald issue… but here’s what we see right now. If anyone recognizes these issues or has had experience with this please feel free to comment and educate us. I’m always looking to learn from what we post here.
That willow look’s fairly young they grow fast but usually live about 50 years sometimes 75 if your lucky very few live to be a 100. The mulch does help somewhat willows and poplars love water so first 2 years keep up on watering the tree water it as much as possible. There is stuff you can buy that they make for tree’s to put around that spot. I would buy some stuff to put around it but I don’t remember what it is called. The issue is bacteria like fungus and bugs can get in there and kill your willow it needs to be covered if the tree is still very young than it should heal with age. Prune any dead branches on it also and branches rubbing against one and another. Check for tiny holes in bark a sign of bore disease. If it has bore or insect or fungus disease they make sprays for them. Also black canker is a big problem with willows.
Thank you for the tips! It does seem to be doing a little bit better this summer… still not as full as other willows in the neighborhood but seems to be filling in a bit compared to last summer. It’s at least 6 – 10 years old because it was here before we moved here. Hoping it can repair itself before any insect or disease discovers it!