Kilmarnock Willow Tree?
Question:My weeping willow tree of about 5 years seems to be dying, the leaves are drying (not to lack of rain!!), but there is totally different leaves growing through it, which are coming off the main trunk. Do I cut these aliens off at the main trunk or leave them? MANY THANKS
Answers:
If you leave the new growth it will take over and you wont have a Kilmarnock willow anymore but a totally different willow that will swallow half your garden so cut out the growth that is appearing from the bottom (tearing it is best to disuade it growing back) cut away any growth that you are sure is dead then feed
the alien growth is a response to stress. if the tree is dying the new growth will be all that is left if the top dies. if the top branches snap when bent it is dying back, so do not cut new growth
We used to have a Kilmarnock Willow. The top is grafted onto growing stock and it is the stock plant that is throwing out these shoots, and you definitely need to cut them off. They may be draining the tree of nutrients. Give the top growth a bit of a thinning out and see if that helps.
With these new shoots if they are at the base of the tree they are what's known as sucker's they literally suck the nutrients from the tree so it will start to die, you could leave these however it's not recommended as these shoots are often weaker compared to the parent plant and nine tines out of ten the whole plant will die because of this. my advice is to stop these suckers if they are at the base if they are coming from branches at the top of the tree it could simply be new growth, if they are coming from the top cut with a sharp blade the old branch 1 inch from th new shoot obviously not cutting the new shoot off! so which ever way make sure you give it a good feed afterword's or fork in some manure round the trunk base.
good luck anyways xx xx
Yes I also have two Kilmarnock willows -two in fact,
they are, as mentioned by another subscriber grafted onto a much stronger standard willow stem,
One of my plants was looking rather sick as far as the top growth was conerned and I also had shoots appearing near the base ( not from ground level ) I might add as is the way with suckers no these are simply the main stem attempting to re grow and override the top graft..now as stated I was not happy with the willow as it was so I promptly took out my hacksaw and cut off the main stem at approx six inches above the new shoots appearing on the main stem,
I then placed the old willow I had cut off ito my pond with about 12 inches resting in the water..I then forgot about it for a week or two!
upon returning I noticed the willow in the water was doing fine & sprouting new foilage & on removing it from the pond I noticed fresh new pink roots growing from the bud areas, I promptly re-located it in the garden with fresh compost & plenty of water and it is now doing fine a year or two later... as for the original root stock this grew into a fine willow tree/ bush in its own right at the moment of writing it is probably 7 feet high ! with lush growth,
I have also taken cuttings from this bush left those in my pond for a week or two & now have further trees which enhance the edge of my large pond..& all for free!! just the way I like it .
I realise this not exactly the answer you were looking for but I hope it has given you a thought of what to do if the plant is really looking sick.Best of luck...Smiffy
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