Large Pussywillow, take down or keep?

11 years ago

I have a mature Pussywillow in my front yard, probably more that 10' tall and about the same around. It was planted by a previous owner and really isn't much of a focal point. Birds don't nest or hang around it. It is also about 5' away from my well tap. Since it's now coming into the fall season, I'm thinking it might not be a bad idea to cut it down and plant something else that might not be looking for water so much, and allow the other plants in the vicinity to grow (pear tree, Ohio Buckye, Star Magnolia). What say the experts, especially Mr. Ken?

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User

11 years ago

farmboy,

Get rid of it. Ken's right. Willows aren't good to have anywhere near a well or a septic system. They can cost you thousands. Literally.

After you cut it down, poison it. Go ask at a nursery and see what they can suggest to use on the roots. If you don't kill the roots, it will grow back with a vengeance. And also keep in mind it is near your well.

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Comments (7)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
lol ... not grouping me with the experts.. huh??? ..... lol ..

PW was one of the first plants i fell out of love with ... get rid of it ... its a willow .. lol ... you could probably cut it flush to the ground... and if you dont treat the stump ... it will be the same size or bigger in 2 years ... with no insult to the root mass .... which is willow.. lol ..

[i dont really know if its willow family .. or if that is one of those confusing common names ... i dont want facts to interfere with a good screed ...lol ]

now.. while you are out there with the saw ... or the chain attached to your old truck .... do us all a favor.. and get rid of that pear also .. presuming its the hated one ...

you can do so much better for both ... go for it ....

ken
Embothrium
11 years ago
You can also compromise and grow it as a shrub that you cut down low each year right after flowering.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
with my recollection of his beautiful old historic house... HE CAN DO SO MUCH BETTER....

btw.. how is that tri color doing????

ken
Mike McGarvey
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Embothrium had a good idea. Keep it as a bush. Wack it down right when it looks it's best....... and it's back in no time. Treated that way, willows make good bushes, way better than an ugly Pussy Willow tree. It's meant to be cropped to have Pussy Willows to bring inside when they're looking their best.

I don't think the willow will draw enough, if any water from your well to amount to much. It's a bush.

Good plumbing,... and the roots are not an issue.
farmboy1
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for all the comments! Weather permitting, it will come down this weekend. I did think about pruning it back, but the main trunks are pretty thick and would look odd. Plus, it's not a pretty sight. I already have some root killer from a previous takedown. And the nearby pear is a Bartlett and it does fruit. Sadly, I have one of those "other" pears that I need to get a bucket truck to cut down; it's about 35-40' high.

And Ken, as for the Tri-Color, it is still small, has made it through a couple hard winters. I am expecting to see some decent growth on it in the next couple of years....first they sleep, second they creep, third they leap....

Thanks!!
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
great decision ...

ken