Knowledgebase
My corkscrew willow tree seems to be dying. #315399
Asked April 21, 2016, 10:29 PM EDT
Linn County Oregon
Expert Response
I'm
sorry to hear your corkscrew willow (Salix matsudana cv. 'Tortuosa') is
failing. They are lovely trees, but they do have a short lifespan. However, a
healthy one should be good for at least 30 years or more, so something else is
probably happening to yours. It might require an in-person examination to
successfully diagnose the problem, but here are a few things to look for.
1. Does it get plenty of water in the summer? Willows are very thirsty, and we
have had a couple of dry years. This could be a reaction to cumulative drought
stress.
2. Are the dead-looking branches truly dead? You can tell by scraping away a
bit of bark to see if there is a green cambium layer below. If it is green, the
branch is alive and may leaf out again. If it is totally brown (check several
locations on the branch) then it is really dead.
3. If the branches are dead, cut off one of the thicker ones and examine it closely. If you see any sort of staining or black areas, it
could have a bacterial twig blight. Also examine the trunk for any damage,
which is where blight could enter. From the PNW Plant Disease Handbook: Symptoms:
Blighted twigs and branches die back, and leaves turn brown and wilt. Brown
streaks occur in sections of affected wood. Severe defoliation may occur.
Cankers with longitudinal cracks have also been reported.
Cultural control: Cut out affected twigs and branches if practical.
4. Have there been any changes around it in the last couple of years? Construction work, tree removal, a change in irrigation patterns, or anything that might cause physical damage to the tree or roots. Any of these could cause a long-term decline.
After you have checked these things, you can re-contact us with your results, and we may be able to help you further.
Since this is a special tree to you, I would suggest you take a few cuttings from the remaining healthy growth and root them. Willow grows extremely easily from cuttings (it will even root in water), and if this one dies you will have cuttings from it that you can re-plant in a different location.
