Have you had any unusual weather like abnormal heat or drought?

Willows can thrive for anywhere in the 25-50 range, but I suppose certain things like crowded conditions, too much shade etc. could shorten that.

Hmmm ... I would agree with the too much shade theory, but that's only the one at the back of the yard. The other one exhibiting the same symptoms (closer to the house) has full sun all the time.

Last year was pretty hot here (Windsor, ON) but this was going on before that. It's like random branches -- mostly closer to the ground -- just start drying up and dying. Other branches right next to them are fine. It's weird.

There are dozens of pathogens that can affect willows.

Taking a sample of a sick branch to be analyzed at your local extension office or horticultural institution, whatever you have there, is the only way to tell for sure what it is and what the treatments are.

It is a shrub...not a tree...it has a limited life span...and is usually rejuvenation pruned...

Ken

It might help to specifically id what plant you have ..

Pix of the leaves..catkins...and whole plant might help

Btw...even willow trees are relatively short lived plants

Ken

Umm ... wait a minute, Ken --- you're saying a pussy willow is a SHRUB?? Certainly looks 100% tree-like to me! Big thick trunk with heavy bark, branches splitting off the trunk like any other tree, and both are about 25 feet tall. That's a mighty big shrub, I think. ;-)

Hi James, this is from Prairie Moon nursery:

Salix discolor is a fast-growing plant, considered either a small tree or a large shrub, it often reaches 25 feet in height, especially in ideal sites. Pussy Willow is very adaptable but performs best in full sun and consistently moist soils. These conditions often promote a great deal of suckering and spreading, though. Trim this plant back every few years to limit such behavior; leave a few stems to harden off and mature at interval trimmings. This specimen has a short lifespan and renewal prunings can encourage its longevitiy within the landscape.

Thanks, Indy. Answered all my questions and explains why this is happening to the trees (yes, I still consider it a "tree". : ) Guess I'm looking at a lot of work over the next couple years. :( Either that or hire someone to take them down before they get dangerous.

As Bill mentioned, there are a wide number of diseases that can affect willows. Because of this, they are generally considered a short lived species. If yours is showing signs of branch dieback, that typically signifies a serious fungal or bacteria issue and it would be smart to remove before the tree falls or breaks apart, which they do often.

And it makes no difference if the plant is classified as a tree or a shrub....the problems are the same.

> " ... it makes no difference if the plant is classified as a tree or a shrub....the problems are the same."

Yes, of course I realize that.

But I didn't realize I would be getting into an ongoing debate on the semantics of botanical nomenclature. (No big deal; I just think it's funny. ;-)

I'm reminded of a scene from the movie "My Cousin Vinny". Joe Pesci is questioning a witness and shows him a photo of the view outside his business.

He asks the witness: "What are these big objects blocking your view that have thousands of those little green things hanging from them?"

The witness says, "Trees?"

'Nuff said. :-D

It's interesting you mention the issue of falling/breaking apart. Take a look at this split near the base of the trunk.

Here's a wider shot. The split is on the left side trunk. (It was a forked branch that I planted all those years ago. In hindsight, it was probably not a great idea to start with that.)

James, a split like that getting down into the root crown is prb'ly fatal sooner or later.

Yeah, I figured that. I'm probably going to have to take that part off before winter. It's still surprisingly strong; doesn't shift or bend if I hang my entire weight on it. But it sure looks BAD.

I would think the remaining tree could survive…

As kitasei said, the remaining tree could hang on for a while, but an open wound on a willow......

Yeah, I'm sure one or both of the remaining trunks WILL eventually fall over. Fortunately, the "fall path" for either of them is clear of obstructions; nothing will be damaged (except the lawn, I guess). I can't afford to get the entire tree removed right now, so I'm slowly cutting up the branch that fell and will get a local tree service to come pick up the pieces when I'm done.