weeping willow with winter damage - Ask Extension
My weeping willow is about 1o years old and appears to not be leafing out after the winter. It is a beautiful tree--so wondering if there is something...
Knowledgebase
weeping willow with winter damage #566031
Asked May 31, 2019, 9:08 AM EDT
My weeping willow is about 1o years old and appears to not be leafing out after the winter. It is a beautiful tree--so wondering if there is something I can do to save it. There are a few signs of leafs but very minimal.
Cass County North Dakota
Expert Response
Hello,
Your willow should have leafed out by now. You can check the small twigs to see if they are alive. Scrape a twig or two with your fingernail or pocket knife. if the tissue beneath the bark is still green, then that twig is still alive. If the tissue is brown and the twig is brittle, then it is dead.
Many trees were slow to leaf out this spring because of the cold weather. However, willows tend to leaf out fairly early compared to other tree species in ND. I suspect that your tree may be dying if it doesn't leaf out in the next week to ten days. Willow trees are very susceptible to a number of diseases and can be short lived. If your willow doesn't leaf out, it will not probably not survive until next year. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do at this stage.
Your willow should have leafed out by now. You can check the small twigs to see if they are alive. Scrape a twig or two with your fingernail or pocket knife. if the tissue beneath the bark is still green, then that twig is still alive. If the tissue is brown and the twig is brittle, then it is dead.
Many trees were slow to leaf out this spring because of the cold weather. However, willows tend to leaf out fairly early compared to other tree species in ND. I suspect that your tree may be dying if it doesn't leaf out in the next week to ten days. Willow trees are very susceptible to a number of diseases and can be short lived. If your willow doesn't leaf out, it will not probably not survive until next year. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do at this stage.
