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Old pussy willow tree

CollareddoveCollareddove Posts: 173
in Plants
In the recent storms quite a large branch of my pussy willow tree snapped off.  A similar thing happened a year ago in a storm.
I have been at this house for 40 years and the tree was mature then, so could be around 50 years old.
The tree is large with several trunks fused together at the base.
My question is how long lived are pussy willow trees?  Obviously I will get the broken branch dealt with but I am not sure if I should be considering something more drastic, if you see what I mean ...  reluctant because the tree is a wonderful source of pollen and nectar for my honeybees in the early spring.

Posts

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    According to The Woodland Trust they can live up to 300 years. Ask your contractor to check if there’s any sign of other potential branch falls and deal with them, just to set your mind at rest. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/goat-willow/
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    As your tree is so old and it sounds as if it has a thick heavy head, It might help to thin it out.. This would reduce the chance of further branches being damaged by storms in winter or summer. 
    There are a lot of old willow trees where I walk my dog and I have noticed quite a few have been damaged by the recent storms. Some have branches broken and there are a few which have fallen over. Wet ground and gusty wind versus brittle old wood.
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    Lots of the local willows have had some damage from the storms but they regenerate very well and I agree with Joyce, it might be an opportunity to get it thinned out and rejuvenated a little.


  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Salix fragilis is commonly known as crack willow, because of the propensity to drop branches.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • CollareddoveCollareddove Posts: 173
    @punkdoc, this is pussy willow/goat willow.  I also yave crack willow on the land, the leaves and catkins are quite different.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Goat willow loses branches very easily too, or it does in my wood.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • CollareddoveCollareddove Posts: 173
    @Joyce Goldenlily, according to @Plantminded and The Woodland Trust they can live for 300 years!  So mine is a mere stripling, I hate to think how vast my tree might get given another 250 years growth!  Is there evidence of a pussy willow actually getting to that age?  Surely unlikely?

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I’ve known some very old ones in old rural hedgerows. 

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





  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    Maybe because they seed and spread so freely and do not make a fine statuesque shape they have been ignored. The slopes of the clay spoil heap next to me are thick with them, all around 50 years old. They are a nightmare in the garden and when they are shedding their fluffy seeds it looks as if it is snowing.
  • CollareddoveCollareddove Posts: 173
    I agree about the fluffy seeds causing a nightmare on the lawn!  However,  my tree does have a fine statuesque shape, somewhat  compromised by having a tree house amongst its branches.
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