How to Revive a Dying Willow Tree

Willow trees are stunning landscape trees with their graceful weeping branches and fast growth rate. However, they can be susceptible to diseases, pests, and environmental stresses that lead to decline. If your mature willow tree is showing signs of poor health, don’t give up on it yet! With some TLC and targeted care, you may be able to nurse it back to health.

Signs Your Willow Tree is in Distress

The first step is identifying the signs that your willow is under duress. Here are some common symptoms

• Sparse foliage or bare branches
• Smaller than normal leaves
• Leaves yellowing or browning
• Leaf spots or other fungal issues
• Peeling bark
• Dieback of branches
• Lack of new growth
• Excessive suckers or water sprouts around base

If you notice any of these, it means your tree is stressed and action should be taken. Various diseases, improper growing conditions, and pests can cause these symptoms.

Common Causes of Willow Tree Decline

Understanding why your willow is struggling is key to reviving it. Here are some top reasons these trees fail to thrive:

• Incorrect planting site – Willows need consistent moisture and room for their extensive roots. Planting them in dense, compacted, or dry soil often leads to decline.

• Diseases – Bacterial and fungal diseases like crown gall, canker, scab, and leaf spot are common, especially in wet conditions.

• Pests – Borers, beetles, mites, and more can infest willows. Heavy infestations cause major defoliation.

• Improper pruning – Removing too much live wood or pruning at the wrong times stresses willows.

• Environmental factors – Insufficient water, pollution, salt damage, flooding, and extreme weather can all negatively impact willows.

• Old age – Willows tend to have shorter lifespans, only around 60 years. Age-related decline is inevitable.

Figuring out which factors are affecting your tree will direct your revival efforts.

How to Revive a Stressed Willow Tree

If caught early, many willow tree issues can be corrected with consistent TLC. Here are some tips:

• Water deeply – Ensure the tree gets at least 1-2 inches of water per week, more in hot and dry periods.

• Fertilize conservatively – Use a balanced, slow-release tree fertilizer to gently nourish the willow. Avoid high nitrogen products.

• Prune strategically – Remove dead branches, suckers, and branches rubbing other limbs. Avoid removing green wood.

• Treat diseases and pests – Work with an arborist to accurately diagnose and treat any biotic problems.

• Address soil issues – Improve drainage, aerate compacted soil, or amend nutrient deficiencies per test results.

• Protect from weather – Wrap trunks of young trees and provide supplemental water during droughts.

• Reduce lawn competition – Remove grass several feet out from the trunk and mulch the area to reduce competition.

With time and diligence, you may see your willow start to push out new growth and regain its former beauty. But revive efforts don’t always work, so be patient and persistent.

When to Give Up on a Willow

Despite your best efforts, some willow trees simply can’t be saved. Decline may be too advanced or the factors causing it cannot be mitigated in that environment. Here are signs it may be time to remove your willow:

• Major dieback on more than 50% of the canopy
• Severe pest infestations covering the entire tree
• Main trunk shows signs of internal decay
• Tree becomes a hazard due to splitting, leaning, etc.
• Willow is located too close to the home or utilities

Take an objective look at the overall condition. If the willow is too far gone, removal may be the safest option before it gets dangerous. Though saying goodbye to a beloved tree is hard, you can always plant a new one in a better spot!

How to Remove a Large Willow Tree

Taking out a fully mature willow is not a DIY project. Given their height, fragile wood, and tendency to re-sprout, it takes knowledge and special equipment to remove them properly. Here are smart tips:

• Hire an ISA certified arborist – Get estimates from several reputable services and check reviews. Avoid anyone who uses tree climbing spikes on willows.

• Schedule removal in dormancy – Late fall to early spring, when willows are hibernating, is best. There is less sap flow and pest pressure.

• Request their insurance information – Make sure they carry adequate liability insurance in case of property damage.

• Ask about wood disposal – Removal usually includes hauling away the wood debris. Ensure they have a plan to dispose of it legally.

• Inspect the stump – They should grind the stump at least 12 inches below grade so no suckers re-sprout.

Removing large trees is dangerous work, so leave it to trained professionals with the proper equipment. Take time to find a credible tree care company you trust to remove your willow safely and completely.

How to Plant a New Willow

Once your old willow is gone, consider planting a fresh one in a better spot on your property. Select a disease-resistant cultivar well-suited to your climate. Here are tips for success:

• Pick the right location – Willows need moist soil and full sun. Ensure the site has adequate drainage and room for the mature root zone.

• Prepare the planting area – Remove grass and enrich the soil with compost. Mark utilities to avoid.

• Find a healthy specimen – Choose a 1-2 inch caliper tree from the nursery, inspecting it carefully for good structure and vigor.

• Plant at the proper depth – Set the root ball on firmly packed soil so the first main roots are just below grade.

• Water thoroughly – Soak the root zone, then continue deep watering regularly as it establishes over 1-2 years.

• Mulch and stake – Spread 4 inches of wood chips around the tree and stake the trunk until roots anchor.

With ideal growing conditions from the start, your new willow tree should thrive for years to come, gracing your yard with its distinctive, swaying silhouette.

Willow trees offer wonderful benefits to landscapes with their fast growth, lovely flowers, and graceful form. But they can be prone to decline if not properly cared for. By catching problems early and giving your willow focused TLC, you may be able to nurse it back to health. However, if it is too diseased or aged, removal and replacement may be the route to take. With some patience and attentive care, you can continue enjoying the beauty of willows on your property.