On 15 May 2006 17:59:16 -0700,
wrote:

I just wondered if there was anything to do or check. This weeping
willow is maybe about 5 years old. Normally I don't do anything to it
and it grows like a weed. Maybe it was just a dry spring or something,
but this year, unlike any other year, or any other weeping willows
nearby, has just TONS of dead branches. Each one of the prunes in this
shot had zero leaves:
http://personal.bellsouth.net/d/r/dr...0-4060_IMG.JPG . A
lot of the branches, up to 3/4 in diameter were brittle and dry (only
right up against the trunk was there any moisture). This branch is the
biggest one I cut:
http://personal.bellsouth.net/d/r/dr...0-4061_IMG.JPG and
there were a few shoots near the base, but a few feet out, it would
crack in two by bending one time. But look at this pile I cut that had
zero leaves:
http://personal.bellsouth.net/d/r/dr...0-4064_IMG.JPG .
And that was just the ones I could reach. I scraped away the mulch and
didn't see any strangulation roots, which my wife read about. I looked
at the bark and there were these little 'boogers' on there. This is
the trunk:
http://personal.bellsouth.net/d/r/dr...0-4068_IMG.JPG .
And this is on a main branch that's about 3 1/2 inches in diameter:
http://personal.bellsouth.net/d/r/dr...0-4070_IMG.JPG .

I know these are some of the most hard to kill trees around, so unless
there's a clear problem ID and solution, I'll likely not do anything,
but I am curious about it, so if anyone has any ideas, I'd like to hear
'em. Thanks.

Hi Dale,

You haven't by any chance been using a Weed & Feed product
or some other form of broadleaf control close by have you?

Trees are broadleaf's and some are more susceptible to lawn
care products than others. Weeping Willows usually have
roots really close to the surface and could have troubles
with this.

--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI/Zone 5b
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