WEEPING WILLOW TREES

Question

I BOUGHT THIS WEST GEORGIA PROPERTY IN 1987. IT IS 15 ACRES WITH 2 SMALL LAKES. PREVIOUSLY UNDEVELOPED AND USED AS PASTURE. I HAVE PLANTED OVER 30 WEEPING WILLOWS ON THE PROPERTY IN MOST AREAS OF THE 15 ACRES OVER THESE PAST 30 YEARS, AND ALL OF THEM HAVE DIED. THEY FOLLOW THE SAME PATTERN – DOING FINE ONE DAY, DEAD IN LESS THAN A WEEK. HAPPENS IN ALL 4 SEASONS. NONE LIVE PAST 10 YEARS, WITH MOST DYING IN 3 TO 5 YEARS. I AM FAMILIAR WITH AMBROSIA BEETLE ATTACKS AND IT IS NOT THAT, BUT SIMILAR VISUAL SYMPTOMS. I HAVE DISSECTED 4 OR 5 OF THE DEAD TREES FROM GROUND LEVEL TO UPWARDS OF 5 FEET AND THE TRUNK IS NORMAL WITH SOLID BARK AND SMOOTH INTERNAL GRAIN STRUCTURE WITH NO STAINING, HOLLOWS, OR DECAY. ANY THOUGHTS?

Answer 1

There is a possibility that the soil pH is off from being a pasture, but it would be hard to tell. Have you had your soil sampled? This can tell you exactly what is wrong with your soil, as I would chalk it up to it being the problem.