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Am I loosing my Willow tree?

purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
in Problem solving
We have a Flamingo Willow probably over 25 years old, that has been struggling in the last two hot summers. We have lost the top half, but managed to keep it alive and have started to regenerate the growth. Now there appears to be a type of fungi growing on the main trunk, does this mean our attempts to save it has failed? Your help would be gratefully appreciated. 

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  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    The last two hot, dry summers will have stressed it severely so I suggest you take cuttings from a few viable shoots as insurance and then make sure it doesn't go thirsty this spring and summer.

    A large specimen will need more water than you can imagine so you may have to accept that it's a goner unless we get a cooler, wetter summer this year.
    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
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    It had a hose at its base  for 5 minutes every week during the summer @Obelixx so we did try. I was wondering what kind of fungi it was, and whether it was a prophet of doom.🤔
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Sorry @purplerallim but I don't know enough about fungi to help you.

    I'd have thought 5 minutes or more per day would have been more like it.  During our heatwaves last year I was giving recently planted (up to 3 yrs old) trees and shrubs a 15 litre watering can per day and they are much smaller than your willow.

    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
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    They did get a watering can as well twice a week now you mentioned it @Obelixx 🤦‍♀️ have slept since then. 😊 I was wondering about honey fungus,  but I too know little about fungi.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    The fungus will be on dead wood.  Anything without fugus and sprouting should be OK.

    Rooting cuttings would be a good safety net.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I've got fungus similar to that on the stump of an old holly tree that we cut down to make way for next door to put in a taller fence. Last year it made a slight attempt to regrow but it didn't come to anything, then the fungus appeared. I think the fungus is taking advantage and colonizing already dead or dying wood, not causing the demise.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    As this fungus is on the main trunk, in two places, it's probably on its way out.😕
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    Fungus doesn’t usually grow unless something is dying . So sorry but I reckon your tree is a gonner .
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Looks like a big job for the hubby to cut up, but I do have a small Holly ( gold variegated ) that I took a cutting from from my old garden six years ago looking for a home.🤔
  • GWRSGWRS Posts: 8,478
    @purplerallim , hello , just noticed your post about Honey fungus , my self and next door have lost willows on Heighington beck bank , sorry to say if it’s got it it’s a goner 
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