ladybug
Newly Registered
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2007 8:56 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC

Weeping Pussy Willow - Leaves drying out and falling off

A few months ago I purchased a new weeping pussy willow tree (about 2 feet tall) and I have it in a pot on my patio (face directly south). It first started putting out leaves in May and was doing quite well until early July. It is in an area where it gets about 6-7 hours of sun a day. It seemed to be doing fine for the first couple of months, however now the leaves are drying out, turning brown and dropping. Although it continues to produce new leaves, many of them dry out at the edges and the leaves curl under. Any suggestions as to what the problem may be are appreciated.

Newt
Greener Thumb
Posts: 1868
Joined: Tue May 25, 2004 10:44 pm
Location: Maryland zone 7

Hi Ladybug,

I was wondering if your weeping pussy willow is doing any better now.

Newt

ladybug
Newly Registered
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2007 8:56 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC

Unfortunately it seems to be doing much worse. By late August it had lost all foilage and when any new shoots started opening they only lasted a few days. Also, now a few of the branches have gone black on the first 2 to 3 inches of the tips. It should be going dormant for the year now, but I am keeping my fingers crossed it will come back in the spring.

Newt
Greener Thumb
Posts: 1868
Joined: Tue May 25, 2004 10:44 pm
Location: Maryland zone 7

Could be willow blight. You don't say how you've watered and fertilized. Take a look at these sites to see what might match. You may have to return it and get a replacement. If you do, sterilize the pot well with a bleach solution before you use it again with one part bleach to nine parts water.
https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/trees/f1192-4.htm#Leaf
https://agebb.missouri.edu/pdc/diagnosticreports/blight01.htm
https://www.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/diagnostics/willow.html

Newt



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