Weeping Pussy Willow Tree

Question

We have a Weeping Pussy Willow tree that we planted about 3 years ago. This year our yard flooded from the river overflow and was under water for almost 2 weeks. The water has now receded, but all the leaves on the Pussy Willow have turned brown and shriveled up. Is my tree dead, or will it come back in the spring?

Answer 1

Pussy Willow is quite tolerant of wet soils, but if the roots were under water for a long period of time it can kill them from lack of oxygen. Check the branches, do the bend or snap off?
Do a scratch test on the bark.
If you have live bark and branches, it may recover.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/tree-scratch-test.htm