Is my Weeping Willow Tree dying?

Question

I just bought a Weeping Willow tree yesterday, and some of the leaves are yellow and falling off, with some dead twigs. The rest, however, is alive.

Are some of them supposed to be yellow? Some leaves are budding that color.

Could it just be in shock because I'm actually watering it unlike Home Depot? (Dirt was practically dry when I got it)

Should I be watering it a lot more? help please!

Answer 1

All willows are water loving plants and usually grow where the water table is a couple inches down. So if the root ball was really dry then your willow definitely felt deprived.

The good thing about willows is that they are pretty hardy, because in nature water levels are often variable and willows have had to deal with it (dropping all their leaves is one way of doing that)

Because of their water loving nature you would be hard put to over-water them, particularly after they had had such a drought. If you have a low spot that is swampy or near a body of water they will do best.

If your septic tank is the nearest body of water the roots will make a bee line for it if they can. (not such a good thing)
Other wise if in a couple or three years they can find the water table it should do very well after that.

Answer 2

Weeping Willow Leaves

Answer 3

Willow Tree Leaves

Answer 4

Your new tree could be 'in shock' not from finally being well-watered but from being moved or replanted. If you haven't yet stuck it in the ground, you might let it recover in its pot for a while first, placing it in the environment where it will be planted so it gets used to lighting, temperature changes, etc. (If it's root-bound in the pot, though, don't wait.)

It's almost impossible to overwater a willow, so long as you don't leave it in standing water day-in, day-out. If Home Depot underwatered, some of its leaves will be yellow, and some of its smaller branches could well be dead. (The tree keeps its core alive as long as it can.)

Water it every couple of days and let it adjust to its new environment, and it may well recover fully.

Maryn, who's got a willow 3 stories tall

Answer 5

Hope it wasn't too very damaged by HD. Container plants must be watered daily and sometimes twice a day. Seasonal help is hopeless.

The move home could have damaged the plant by whipping leaves. Transplanting is also traumatic. You can tell dead twigs, they are dry and snap easily....different from one's who had their leaves blasted off.......at least initially.

OK, assuming you got it transplanted correctly, water daily for the first two weeks. Water the root ball and the area beyond. If you made a little dike to hold water, it should be outside the root ball......yeah, I know, it is easier at the root ball.

At the end of 2 weeks, taper to every other day for a week and then every third day. Depending on your climate, you may be down to once a week.

When you water, water well, don't just sprinkle. You want to apply at least an inch of water each time.

Answer 6

You probably did not separate the root ball when you planted it. If the plant ends up dying then Home Depot most likely has a warranty where you can take the tree back and get a new one.

Answer 7

willow trees need alot of water look around any bodyof water you will find a willow tree just don't let the branches touch the ground keep the branches trimed up away from the ground