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- Q.My Desert Willow Looks Terrible And The Leaves Are Just Tiny Clusters At The Ends Of Branches. What’s Going On? - It's about 10 years old and has been beautiful every year until this spring. I live in southern Arizona. We ...
- Q.How To Grow A Desert Willow - proper care and prune a desert willow into a tree shape with a single trunk.
- Q.Dying Desert Willow In NM - I have a very tall Desert Willow that is sick. It's over 20 years old so I wonder if it ...
- Q.Black Biting Beetles On NM Desert Willow Trees And How To Kill Them? - These biting bugs come out with the appearance of the flowers. We have no pics at the moment. Thank You.
- Q.Trouble With My Desert Willow - Hi, I noticed that there is something wrong with my beautiful Desert Willow. I don't know if they get Bark ...
- Q.Do Desert Willow Tree Roots Grow Down & Deep Or Spread? - I'm thinking to transplant one between an adobe outside wall and a cemented area. Do I need to worry about ...
- Q.Desert Willow In North Texas Clay Soil - I have 7 desert willows in my yard in North Texas - the soil here is clay, probably not the ...
Asked by
Anonymous on
August 3, 2019Q.My Desert Willow looks terrible and the leaves are just tiny clusters at the ends of branches. What’s going on?
It's about 10 years old and has been beautiful every year until this spring. I live in southern Arizona. We did have the coldest winter in the 12 years I've been here with over a month of consecutive nights below freezing. It did warm in the day time to almost normal temps. -- 40-60 degrees. I have babied this tree since I brought it home as a "branch" from a nursery. The fact that it grew at all was amazing. This is very depressing. What can I do?
Answered by
GKH_Susan on
August 3, 2019
Certified ExpertA.It may be an insect or mite pest, possibly thrips. It's really hard to see details from the photos, but I think I see leaf stippling/spotting, and then the stunted growth is characteristic of some thrips infestations. I think it will take a keen experienced eye on site with a hand lens to look for tiny black enlongated insects. Nutrient deficiency is another possibility, but I lean toward the pest problem as best guess.
I suggest that you contact your local U of A extension office and see if they will send out a home horticulture advisor, or give you a location to take a sample of the foliage. It should be a free service. The alternative is to hire a consulting arborist, plant health care specialist or a certified arborist from a tree service that provides tree and landscape pest control.
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
September 8, 2020Q.how to grow a desert willow
proper care and prune a desert willow into a tree shape with a single trunk.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
September 10, 2020
Certified ExpertA.Desert willows are very low maintenance trees. Here are tips for growing and pruning.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/desert-willow/caring-for-desert-willow-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/desert-willow/pruning-desert-willows.htm
https://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/archive/desertwillow2014.html
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Greeves on
November 20, 2020
88045Q.Dying Desert Willow In NM
I have a very tall Desert Willow that is sick. It's over 20 years old so I wonder if it is just dying slow from old age, or could it be Bark Beetles or some other strange malady? The bark loosens and falls off and the limb dies. Is there anything I can do to save this tree? It would be a sad loss for all the hummers and butterflies that come every year for the prolific and long lasting blooms. And of course, I would dearly miss the shade! Thank you. G.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
November 20, 2020
Certified ExpertA.According to a university fact sheet, desert willow lives 40 to 150 years, which is quite a spread. It is susceptible to root rot; has there been an abundance of rain lately, or has the soil around the tree become compacted, decreasing the drainage?
All the references say no known insect problems, but the tree does not tolerate overwatering.
Prune out the branches that are dying. An overall pruning may help. I suggest contacting your local extension agent, who may know of a pest or disease attributable to the trees in your area.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/desert-willow/pruning-desert-willows.htm
http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/CHILINA.pdf
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/what-is-extension-service.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
June 3, 2021Q.Black Biting Beetles On NM Desert Willow Trees And How To Kill Them?
These biting bugs come out with the appearance of the flowers. We have no pics at the moment. Thank You.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
June 10, 2021
Certified ExpertA.I couldn't find any notation of biting beetles that prefer desert willow. Any insecticide labeled for bugs or beetles should take care of them if they are bothersome.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/what-are-organic-pesticides.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
November 13, 2021Q.Trouble With My Desert Willow
Hi, I noticed that there is something wrong with my beautiful Desert Willow. I don't know if they get Bark Beetles, but the limbs are dying and the bark is separating from the limbs. The tree is about 20+ years old, so could it be at the end of its life cycle? Or is there something else wrong? I was told that there is no insecticide treatment for Bark Beetles, that I should get the tree as healthy and strong as possible with fertilizer and extra water in order to help it fight off the beetles. I lost a False Mulberry to Bark Beetles and saved the other 3 by watering more and giving them fertilizer. They look good now. I don't want to chop down this tree if I don't have to, I love it and so do "my" hummers every Summer. Thanks for your help.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
November 15, 2021
Certified ExpertA.They aren't usually bothered by pests and disease and they typically live past 40 years. They are susceptible to root rot if irrigation has increased. This can cause dieback of the branches as roots are damaged. Prune out the dead wood and make sure it isn't getting excess water.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
September 1, 2022Q.Do Desert Willow Tree Roots Grow Down & Deep Or Spread?
I'm thinking to transplant one between an adobe outside wall and a cemented area. Do I need to worry about eventual disruption of the cement? Cement area is used for outdoor classes. Where Willow is now is too crowded. A seed just landed and it's growing exponentially. thank you.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
September 14, 2022
Certified ExpertA.According to the article below, it is safe to plant near walls and paving. However, leave room for a canopy that spreads up to 25 feet and the height can reach 30 feet. They can be pruned each year for a compact shape.
https://cals.arizona.edu/cochise/mg/plant-profile-desert-willow
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/desert-willow/pruning-desert-willows.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/desert-willow/caring-for-desert-willow-trees.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
TexasYankee on
July 9, 2024
Frisco, TX - Zones 8a and 8bQ.Desert Willow In North Texas Clay Soil
I have 7 desert willows in my yard in North Texas - the soil here is clay, probably not the best for desert willows, but I didn't know that when I had the trees planted in the yard about 6\7 years ago. I planted them 30' apart and they've been in the ground and getting taller and wider - at this point, many of the branches are getting close to other trees. In the winters here the trees are completely bare, but each spring they start out strong, with robust growth and lots of flowers, but after a month or so the leaves on the bottom half of the trees start falling, and greenery on the bottom half of the trees becomes pretty sparse - the top half of the trees look OK, with plenty of leaves and flowers. We had a VERY wet Spring, and then an extremely hot few weeks of 100 degree days, a strong breeze, and full sun. Is there anything I can do to improve the appearance of the trees besides replacing them with a variety better suited to the clay soil? Thanks for any suggestions!
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
July 9, 2024
Certified ExpertA.A wet season paired with clay soil is definitely can cause some issues. This will suffocate roots and invite diseases into the area around the roots.You may try and incorporate compost around the roots. It can help loosen and break up that soil over time. Adding extra worms isn't a bad idea, either.
Keep an eye out for diseases. You may notice wrinkles, brown, or patchy leaves. This will need to be addressed if you find it.
Your local extension service can help test the soil and see, exactly, what it needs.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/what-is-extension-service.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/desert-willow/caring-for-desert-willow-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/desert-willow/pruning-desert-willows.htm
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