My Dappled Willow Bush Has Many Dead Branches What Could Be The Problem.

Question

I have two dappled willows beside each other, one is doing great, the other has many dead branches, I dont know what’s wrong with it. Only thing I can think of is it might be more open to wind. It’s less sheltered than the other one. Or it has some sort of disease. I just trimmed off all the dead branches. It always seemed to have dead branches but this year is the worst Thank you

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Answer 1

Improper pruning, winter injury or a disease such as anthracnose can cause the branches to die back. Ottawa is on the edge of hardiness for dappled willow, so the lack of protection could be a factor. Anthracnose can cause leaf spots and defoliation and occurs when leaves are wet repeatedly. It can recur every year and has no cure. Garden cleanup in the fall can slow down its recurrence.

These articles should help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/willow/dappled-willow-problems.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/anthracnose-disease.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/willow/dappled-japanese-willow.htm