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Willow tree
Our Kid
Posts: 1
Hi everyone, I'm a newbie here, so please be kind to me!
I have a willow tree which I regularly cut back to keep it under control. However, having just started that job, I've found several of the branches turning black, others covered in sticky reddish brown 'stuff'. So ... I cut all those branches out, leaving a stump and a few green, healthy-ish, branches.
I then sprayed it with a multi-purpose insecticide, although there were no signed of infestation, apart from black and sticky rusty looking branches.
Any thoughts? Is there any hope of it surviving or should I dig it out - not an easy job as the main trunk is about three inches thick. Goodness knows where the roots may be!
Thanks for any advice. 
0
Posts
Still spraying against insects, have you read about the plight of insects ? It's us that's doing it with our death sprays.
In the sticks near Peterborough
I suggest you take all sprays to the recycling centre for disposal. There are more holistic ways to deal with problems including good cultivation of soil and plants to give them the health and strength they need to fight off infection and attacks by insects.
You don't say what kind of willow it is but all, except the weeping willow, can happily be pollarded or stooled every year to retain size or vigour or encourage the production of colourful new stems. Unless your willow has some naughty viral or fungal infection it should recover. If not, you'll have to to dig it out and dispose of it and plant something different after refreshing the soil.
Please don't use insecticides!
As Nut says, our invertebrates are in real trouble and we all depend on them for a functioning ecosystem. A garden full of invertebrate life is always going to be much healthier than one doused in chemicals.
Without a picture it's a bit hard to guess, but your description sounds more like a fungus to me. Depending on the type that may mean the tree is fine, or it isn't sorry I can't be more specific!