Anyone know their trees? Looking for Weeping Willow advice.

[blackburn]

As per title, really. Mrs Blackburn wants a weeping willow in the back garden, behind which is a field which is always very soggy. Popular opinion suggests that a WW will dry up the ground for miles around... but will cause building subsidence on a Biblical scale. The suggested planting position is 45' from the back of the house. Any arboriculturalists on here with expert views?

[caziques]

I'm not an arborist, but I have planted lots of trees at my place, including willows.

In my opinion you will be fine with a willow 15m from the house, I have some closer than that about eight years old and they are getting big but can't see any problems.

Go for it.

[cptsideways]

It should be no problem at all that distance from the house. The only time I'd be concerned is with clay soils but that would be nearer the property.

[richyb]

Wet conditions would suit willows or alder. Alder can be coppiced very easily which is an advantage in the long run.

If you are looking for alternatives I would suggest liquid amber. Beautiful looking tree, doesn't get too big and also likes wet conditions.

Edited by richyb on Tuesday 31st May 21:49

[Phil C]

Critical thing is what soil you are on. If on clay or sandy soils, I'd be inclined not to. 45Ft is prob fine. As an alternative - what about Ash? Gets big - but takes a long time.

[Simpo Two]

richyb said:

If you are looking for alternatives I would suggest liquid amber. Beautiful looking tree, doesn't get too big and also likes wet conditions.

One of the few things where the common name is the same as the Latin generic name!

www.tree-shop.co.uk/products_detail.asp?producthea...

[bigee]

A reasonable rule of thumb is to not plant a tree any nearer to a house than its maximum height.

[pikeyboy]

Be very very careful where you plant the willow as they are famous for the roots spreading directly outwards rather than into a ball like other trees. I looked at a victorian house "willow lodge" with a view to buying it about a year back now and it had cracked walls, stone window sills internal walls cracked etc due to the massive willow in the front garden.

[blackburn]

boy said:

Be very very careful where you plant the willow as they are famous for the roots spreading directly outwards rather than into a ball like other trees. I looked at a victorian house "willow lodge" with a view to buying it about a year back now and it had cracked walls, stone window sills internal walls cracked etc due to the massive willow in the front garden.

This is exactly what I'm worried about - hence my original post!

[blackburn]

Simpo Two said:

One of the few things where the common name is the same as the Latin generic name!

www.tree-shop.co.uk/products_detail.asp?producthea...

Liking the look of these.

[Mr GrimNasty]

blackburn said:

Simpo Two said:

One of the few things where the common name is the same as the Latin generic name!

www.tree-shop.co.uk/products_detail.asp?producthea...

Liking the look of these.

Over the last few years I've seen a few of these in nurseries suffering from signs of canker - inspect carefully for any cracked/sunken/discoloured bark and/or gummy secretions.

You're close to the minimum suggested distance (18m, 40m being the maximum root spread recorded apparently) for a willow, but I doubt it would ever be a problem there in your lifetime!

If you're worried, avoid very big trees like willow, oak, poplar, horse chestnut, planes etc. and you'll be fine.

[blackburn]

There's 3 Mountain Ash trees along the rear boundary at the moment - they're all tall and spindly and not particularly attractive - I may cut them down at about 7' to encourage lower growth. There's also a sycamore which is looking good at the moment and a larger tree in the corner. Not sure what it is, I need to research it. We've got a Eucalyptus (sp?) too but that seems to have died, maybe got too cold last winter?, hence there's a nice gap for something else...

[pikeyboy]

blackburn said:

boy said:

Be very very careful where you plant the willow as they are famous for the roots spreading directly outwards rather than into a ball like other trees. I looked at a victorian house "willow lodge" with a view to buying it about a year back now and it had cracked walls, stone window sills internal walls cracked etc due to the massive willow in the front garden.

This is exactly what I'm worried about - hence my original post!

Having looked at the damage to that house I'd say dont do it, although more modern properties have more significant foundations.

[Mr GrimNasty]

It isn't going to be a problem for 50 years, if ever! Not to do it based on some Victorian wreck that happens to have a probably very old Willow nearby, that may or may not be responsible for some cracks! If you particularly want one, plant it, realistically it won't be an issue - but there are plenty of other trees to choose from! Doom-mongers with shares in building insurance co.s & subsidence surveyors etc. will of course disagree.