Hello Audrey,

Is it possible for you to take a few pictures of the willows and the area they occupy and attach them to a reply email? Thanks.

Hi Audrey,

Thank you for the photos. They were very helpful and, in this case, changed how I am going to answer your question.

Probably the most effective product you could use to eliminate the shrub willows is aquatic glyphosate. Because the area is constantly wet, this product (available at most big box stores) would do the job.

However, my concern is that because the shrubs you want to eliminate are both close in proximity and uphill of the ones you want to keep, there will no doubt be herbicide runoff that could injure or kill the downhill willows.

Therefore, my suggestion to you would be to cut down the uphill willows near the ground level which will make them more manageable. Then dig up the roots with a shovel. This will be a labor intensive job the first time, but once they are under control, it shouldn't take too much work down the road to maintain the area.