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Weeping willow fungal infection
Posted: August 5th, 2011, 2:33 pm
by Hornet
I have tried to grow a few willows over the past few years but all have died, either from dehydration or more commonly, a fungal disease. It always seems to start from the base of the trunk so i can just lop off the infected area's. It starts off as a slightly discolored patch and then the bark begins to peel away. My current weeping willow now also has this disease, any idea what it is called and any way i can treat it? Please help, i dont want to loose another willow this way.
John
Re: Weeping willow fungal infection
Posted: August 5th, 2011, 2:43 pm
by Bretts
Can you post a pic?
Re: Weeping willow fungal infection
Posted: August 5th, 2011, 3:35 pm
by Hornet
ok here are a few shots, i gave the tree a trim in hope that i can at least save a few cuttings off it
Re: Weeping willow fungal infection
Posted: August 5th, 2011, 3:58 pm
by Bretts
I did suspect it could just be old fashioned die back and from the pictures that is what it looks like to me. Dehydration is a big cause of this. Willows are not an easy tree to keep in tip top shape and when they are not 100% happy they will die of in sections.
Re: Weeping willow fungal infection
Posted: August 5th, 2011, 4:05 pm
by Hornet
it did dry out ince a few weeks back so possibly that set it off. Will it recover? I think i should keep any willows i decide to grow sitting in water to prevent this again
Re: Weeping willow fungal infection
Posted: August 5th, 2011, 4:44 pm
by Bretts
From the shoots showing at the moment I would say yes it will survive but it may not be the tree it was with what is left alive.
Even better than keeping them in a dish of water is to have them constantly watered with a gravity fed contraption.
Willows root very easy from large cuttings. If you are keen to persist with them I would go and grab a new cutting. Stick it in a bucket of water until it has roots then plant out.
Give them HEAPS of water and HEAPS of fertiliser and you should get better results.
Good luck
Re: Weeping willow fungal infection
Posted: August 5th, 2011, 5:43 pm
by Hornet
Cheers, i took a few cuttings from it and will go out and grab a few larger ones of a large tree in a week or so. Would a inverted water bottle in the pot be a good way to water them?
Re: Weeping willow fungal infection
Posted: August 5th, 2011, 5:59 pm
by Handy Mick
John,
I have a paperbark constantly underwater in another dish.
Re: Weeping willow fungal infection
Posted: August 5th, 2011, 6:24 pm
by Bretts
Hey Hornet, The water bottle might work for your smaller trees but why not go bigger
This is something like I am saying.
viewtopic.php?f=102&t=1298&p=12470&hilit=willow#p12470
I believe the constant water works better than a dish of water as it keeps the roots growing at the base of the tree and not out of the pot.