Q.Concern over an old weeping willow, which has suckling leaves growing out of main trunk
We have recently cut down a lot of trees from a very overgrown garden. It was so overgrown that we couldn’t actually see the trunk of the weeping willow, although could see the branches overhead. Very recently I’ve noticed tiny shoots growing all over the main trunks and branches, on the upper side (which presumably now has light for the first time in years). What should we do about this? Leave them? Remove them. I’m worried that with all this new growth, the tree will not send its normal goodness out to the tips!
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Water sprouts can indicate stress or disease to the tree. They arise out of dormant buds and will often return when you remove them. Extension materials advise removing them as they rob the rest of the tree of essential nutrients and can make a tree look more like a shrub.
