Planting & Caring for a Weeping Willow Tree

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Landscaping is an important part of your home's look and value. From establishing a green and healthy lawn to creating flowerbeds and hardscapes, it is easy to see how landscape design can improve your home's curb appeal and total value. However, you may not know where to begin when choosing plants for your yard. For a romantic touch that will be beautiful for many generations, consider the weeping willow tree.

Not only does it add texture while creating a focal point in your yard, but it also creates a good amount of shade. With this guide, you will understand how to plant and care for the weeping willow tree

Planting Your Weeping Willow

Most people are surprised to learn they should not plant this tree anywhere in their yard. Due to it having the ability to grow up to 50 feet high and wide, you should choose a location in your yard that is not close to your home's exterior, power lines, outdoor sheds and shops, playgrounds, and other structures outdoors.

The root system of the tree is very elaborate, meaning it can quickly grow, spread, and take over any underlying plumbing, electrical, or cable lines. Be sure your tree is planted in an area of your yard free from these lines and not close to your underground septic system.

When planting, make sure to dig out a large hole that is a few times wider than your tree's root ball. Remove the tree's base from the gardening container and massage the soil to loosen up the roots gently.

Place the tree's base into the hole and fill with dirt and nutrient-rich soil. Mix fresh compost into the soil for added nutritional content. For decorative appeal and to hold in moisture, arrange pine straw or mulch around the base of your weeping willow tree. Then, water the tree and the tree's base with your garden hose.

Caring for Your Weeping Willow

The weeping willow is one of the easiest trees to maintain. With the right amount of watering and pest control, your tree will stand the test of time.

Watering your tree is an obvious part of maintenance, but you may not realize how much moisture your weeping willow requires. After planting, water your tree every day to ensure the roots implement into the ground. After a season passes and your tree has established itself into the landscape, water your weeping willow periodically during hot temperatures.

In the spring, apply a fertilizer that contains nitrogen. Nitrogen is an essential element for trees, since it keeps plants strong and healthy. Applying the fertilizer in the early part of spring, after the last frost, will strengthen your weeping willow and improve its overall color.

You may also need to control pests, since Gypsy moths find the weeping willow very appealing. These moths will feed on your tree, causing lesions to develop. These lesions will spread across the tree, decreasing its appeal and eventually halting growth. If left untreated, the moths will kill your tree.

Trim off any leaves that contain brown or black spots. These are lesions caused by gypsy moths. After pruning away the leaves and any dead branches, apply a pesticide to your tree. Also, consider covering the tree trunk with petroleum jelly to deter moths and other pests.

Check the tree branches in the fall, winter, and spring seasons. Freezing temperatures can cause the tree limbs to crack and break. Many limbs are intertwined, so trimming away partially-cracked or broken branches can help save other limbs from this frost damage.

Popping a tree into a hole in your yard is not the only step for landscaping with trees. With this guide, you will understand the correct way to plant and care for the beautiful weeping willow tree. To learn more, contact services like Hudson & Sons Tree Service.


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