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Willow tree grafting

GillyWilly2GillyWilly2 Posts: 19
in Problem solving
We planted a 6ft weeping willow in our field near a stream in July and it was going well.  Then the horses got to it and half snapped the thin trunk, but it was still attached.  We tied it back hoping it would still get nutrients through and might repair itself.  After constructing what we thought was a strong enclosure to keep the horses out, they got to it again and totally snapped the trunk.  This happened yesterday and we put it straight into water.  As you can see from the photo it was already shooting at the earlier break so presume nutrients were getting through.  Is there any way we can salvage this now it has completely snapped?  There are shoots further down so will probably grow up again, however this was a remembrance tree with my father in laws' ashes so would like to try and repair/graft it if that is possible.  Any advice please?  Thanks.

Posts

  • cmarkrcmarkr Posts: 142
    You could try treating it as a very large cutting. Willow are renowned for rooting without encouragement. I don't know if there's a limit to what size that ceases to be the case, you'd probably need to strip a lot of the branches/leaves so it's not trying to support too much with no roots. Don't know if that would help your situation though. Once it is growing happily again you could plant it back in the original spot.
    I'm not experienced in grafting so wouldn't like to guess.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Just put the broken piece in a bucket of water and it will grow roots.  Then you can plant it and have two for the price of one but do build a better defence against the horses.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd echo what the others have said. Willows are really easy to propagate. 
    Hopefully, you can get a new plant or two, especially when they have sentimental value.

    As @Obelixx says - get a decent barrier in round the original one though. Posts and planks.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GillyWilly2GillyWilly2 Posts: 19
    ...the saga of my snapped Willow tree continues...the top piece of stem that broke off has rooted and is growing in a tub; the bottom section which is still in the ground has water sprouts all the way up the stem.  Should I let them all grow for a while or should I just keep the top sprouts and remover the lower sprouts.  Thank you.
  • GillyWilly2GillyWilly2 Posts: 19
    The saga of my snapped willow tree continues...the top broken off piece has roots and is surviving; the bottom section has water sprouts all up the stem. Should I let them all grow or should I just keep the top ones and remove the lower sprouts. Thank you
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I’d leave the top three clusters of leaves in the hope that they’ll give rise to some well-placed branches. 

    Rub the lower ones out firmly with your thumb. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • GillyWilly2GillyWilly2 Posts: 19
    Thank you!
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