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Salix caprea - Is this rust or something else?

BrixtonGardenerBrixtonGardener Posts: 73
in Problem solving
Hi all,

I have what I think is a dwarf goat willow around 1m high, which seems to be developing brown marks on the leaves. Is this rust, and are there any steps to solve it? Lots of wildlife in and around it, so don’t want to do any serious pruning unless absolutely necessary. 


Posts

  • BrixtonGardenerBrixtonGardener Posts: 73
    Just bumping this up in case anybody has any thoughts...
  • Loraine3Loraine3 Posts: 579
    Could this be a weeping willow Salix Caprea 'Kilmarnock'.
    From my Readers Digest book it says Pest and Diseases- Aphids, moths, beetles and weevils occasionally cause damage.  
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Salix caprea is famous for being blighted with leaf spot, rust and generally looking a bit awful. There isn't much you can do really. They are good for wildlife, that's about all IMO! Oh and I admit the catkins are pretty.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Those Kilmarnock willows [which is what that is] get easily dried out. Lack of water causes browning foliage, and it's most likely to be that.
    It's also perfectly normal for any shrub to have browning foliage - it gets replaced if conditions are suitable. If not, they just die off and drop. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BrixtonGardenerBrixtonGardener Posts: 73
    Thank you all! Will give it a good soak a couple of times a week and see if it recovers. 
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