Topic: Willow - how best to keep it growing well

[superfowell]

Hi, my husband and I planted some willow last year. It didn't do much the  first year but seems to have leaves on it now. It's still only about 2-3' tall. How do we know if it is healthy and do you need to keep it weed free as at the moment the entire plot is covered with grass and we don't know the best way to get it back to soil now. Any help will be much appreciated.  :)

[goodlife]

You haven't mentioned what kind of willow it is..ornamental..hedging type..tree?
All willows like moisture..more the merrier..but not quite standing water.
What are you growing your willow for..?
Generally they should cope with under growth..only time it will come problem if weeds/grass will compete with available moisture. But after established even undergrowth should not be bother..willows have strong rootsystem and should be able to cope.
Why do you need to get it back to soil? Could you just mow the area and keep it under control that way?

[campanula]

as goodlife says - water. if it has leaves, it is healthy. They are vigorous plants which ought to grow away well as long as you do not let them dry out.

[saddad]

If it's damp the question is usually how to stop it.....  :-X

[goodlife]

 ;D..yes..more likely.. ;D ;D

[saddad]

The nursery where I am working has just had a willow den built two weeks ago.. the main stems are in the soil... I did warn them.....
It has now got a foot of new top growth... .  ::)

[Ninnyscrops.]

We've got a willow tree in the front garden, had it lopped back to 7 feet years ago, the trunk I can't get my arms around, the roots are under all the borders and it's back to about 25 feet again!

Ninny