Does my new weeping willow tree have a disease? - Ask Extension
We bought a small Salix Alba Niobe Weeping willow tree from a nursery. It has these brown spots on the leaves. We planted it about 4 weeks ago and wat...
Knowledgebase
Does my new weeping willow tree have a disease? #369178
Asked October 10, 2016, 7:42 PM EDT
We bought a small Salix Alba Niobe Weeping willow tree from a nursery. It has these brown spots on the leaves. We planted it about 4 weeks ago and water it every day. These spots were there when we got it and they persist. Are they normal or could they be a disease of some sort?
Thank you
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
Willows can get several leaf spot diseases, usually fungal. Once the spots are on the leaves, they will remain for entire growing period. But they will fall soon. Rake or mow them into pieces that will decompose. In full sun, fungal diseases are not as much of a problem with plants. It looks like your trees have plenty of sun and good air circulation to quickly dry leaves. That's good. Hopefully, they'll never have this issue with spots again.
Two things: plants should be watered deeply about once a week during warm weather. When weather gets cool, moisture evaporates more slowly from the soil and watering can be done less often or not at all if we get sufficient rainfall. Do not drown your tree. Willows like moisture, but are not usually in saturated (soggy) soil ALL the time.
Also, be sure mulch is no more than about 2" deep and not piled on the trunk. Keeping bark wet can foster insect and disease
There is a good article about planting trees on our website: http://extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_images/programs/hgic/Publications/HG24_Planting_tips_f...
ECN
Two things: plants should be watered deeply about once a week during warm weather. When weather gets cool, moisture evaporates more slowly from the soil and watering can be done less often or not at all if we get sufficient rainfall. Do not drown your tree. Willows like moisture, but are not usually in saturated (soggy) soil ALL the time.
Also, be sure mulch is no more than about 2" deep and not piled on the trunk. Keeping bark wet can foster insect and disease
There is a good article about planting trees on our website: http://extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_images/programs/hgic/Publications/HG24_Planting_tips_f...
ECN
