Weeping willow (Salix babylonica) can be seen a mile away. Their drooping branches, coated with delicate leaves, form a distinctive shape from other trees. These are hardy trees that can grow in USDA zones 6 through 8, even surviving colder areas. They thrive in wet soil, which is why you’ll usually find them growing near bodies of water.
If you come across one growing in your yard, you may think you’ve figured it out The perfect ornamental tree for your landscape. However, a few common Problems with weeping willow trees It can make it complicated. For starters, their wood is weak and will break during high winds or under heavy snow loads. Shallow, fibrous root systems of trees can also be a big problem near your home, as they can invade important underground facilities like foundations or sewer lines as they extend outward to get water.
So, what do you do if you find one growing too close to your home for comfort? There are a few options. You can pay a professional tree removal service to take the tree out for you, but this can cost $750 or more depending on the size of the tree and its proximity to your home. It’s an expensive option, but it’s better for dealing with potential foundation or plumbing problems. Other options include transplanting or significant pruning.
Ways to manage problematic weeping willows
If you love weeping willow and want to keep what you find on your property, you can actually get those pesky roots to your advantage. Weeping willow is excellent for transplanting, as its fast-growing roots will reestablish themselves very quickly. Be sure to relocate willows at least 50 feet away from any structure. The best time to do this would be late fall or winter dormancy when the tree is young and the root system is not as extensive. The older (and larger) a tree gets, the more complex and difficult it becomes to remove its root system. In this case, root management would be a better option.
One way to manage willow root systems that are too close together is to install root barriers in the soil. These are either solid, polyethylene panels that form a wall that roots cannot pass through, or an impermeable barrier with a root-inhibiting chemical injected into the fabric.
Another method of Weeping willow care The root will have to be physically cut. This should be done by a professional, as cutting the wrong root can kill the tree. However, a willow whose roots are pruned will be more manageable and less damaging to surrounding property. Again, it is better to do this with young trees as cutting the roots of older trees can cause more damage.
