Weeping Willow Pests and Diseases: [Detection, Causes and Solutions]

Popularly known as the Weeping Willow, this deciduous tree is native to China and can reach up to 20 meters in height.

This specimen is widely used in gardening, being planted solitary , which allows its beauty and size to stand out much more.

However, like many other plants, the Weeping Willow can present a variety of problems represented by pests and diseases.

They can damage both the development and the beauty of the tree, making it less attractive and leading to death if care is not taken.That is why, to avoid inconveniences, today we will present some of the main problems that this tree can have.

aphid

This pest is one of the most popular in a diverse list of plants and trees, since its diet is quite varied.

In general, they are not usually seen with the naked eye , because they are small animals and can hide properly in such a large tree.

Despite this, the damage they can cause is quite important, and can damage the development and health of the specimen.The aphid feeds on the tender and still young parts of the plant , so it can take a while to notice its presence specifically.

For this reason, it is important to have some preventive measures , such as placing insecticides on the tree from time to time.Consider that it is not necessary for the plant to be impregnated with the product, it will suffice for it to be sprayed and well protected.

Woodlouse

Another pest that can be common to a Weeping Willow is the cochineal, which is opportunistic and tends to feed on tree sap .

This pest is difficult to eradicate, since it has a shell that protects it and makes it difficult for the insecticide to enter its body.

On the other hand, they tend to reproduce quite quickly , which makes their final elimination much more complex.The best thing, in case of suffering from this pest, is to prune the affected areas as quickly as possible, taking care not to harm the tree.

Likewise, the treatment with insecticide against mealybugs will work adequately in larvae and in the nests that may remain in the specimen.It can also be pointed out that the cochineal can create a very friendly environment for some diseases such as the bold.

To avoid this, it is advisable to use an anti-black fungicide and take care to spray the tree generously so as not to run any risk.

willow scab

Caused by the fungus Pollaccia saliciperda, willow scab is a common disease among members of the willow family.

Its appearance can be overlooked initially , since it does not cause major abnormalities at first.

However, it is a fast-spreading fungus, making the tree completely a victim of it in a short time.

Its appearance occurs at the beginning of summer, when the leaves and young shoots are especially vulnerable to any attack.In addition, it is important to point out that the fungus can hibernate in fallen leaves and even survive inside diseased branches.

This makes it a fairly complicated infection to control and you must take special care in everything that corresponds to its treatment.In case of infestation, it is best to remove all affected areas , taking into account that they cannot belong to any compost.

In this sense, it is recommended to burn the damaged parts or dispose of them in the garbage, away from any place where they can survive.There are also chemical products specially designed for the treatment of this disease.

Although we must point out that, on occasions, the survival of the fungus and new outbreaks of infection may occur .

Galena

This disease is most often associated with young weeping willows , as they have much less strength and vigor.

Its trigger is the fungus Stereum purpureum, which spreads quickly through the specimen, leaving it weak and stunting its development.

The main way to recognize the infection is thanks to the fact that it causes whitish spots or areas on the plant.Keep in mind that if the tree is not robust enough it can still be seriously affected by the disease.

To eradicate it, it is convenient to quickly prune all the parts that have been damaged by the fungus.On the other hand, the use of potassium and phosphorus to nourish the tree and help its rapid regeneration is also essential.

Manganese and iron are other components that can help give it greater vigor and favor the strengthening of the weakened tree.However, it is important that you refrain from using commercially prepared fertilizers, as they contain nitrogen and are not convenient at all .

powdery mildew

This is usually a very common fungus on the Weeping Willow, causing a disease that can quickly become severe and difficult to treat.

The best way to find this fungus is by looking for a whitish or gray powder , which it generates and leaves on the leaves.

This powder makes the tree look dull in color, causing it to gradually lose its vitality.As for the treatment, it is convenient that you use formulas rich in sulfur and copper that promote the control of the disease if it is not very intense.

If it is high intensity, you should cut the affected areas carefully and dispose of them responsibly.Taking care of and ensuring the health of the Weeping Willow is one way to ensure that it is a good addition to a garden setting.

Keep in mind that it is a large and well distributed tree, which will be able to live for a long time where you plant it .Therefore, it is convenient that you keep it supervised, as well as well nourished and protected, preventing pests or diseases from appearing on it.

In the same way, in the event that they occur, it is essential that a quick and timely treatment be carried out .