Parasitic growth on Weeping Willows

Martha · 17th February 2010, 10:02 PM

I am located in North India, in the Himachal Pradesh state.
We have several large to medium size Weeping Willows growing on our property. And there is a concern regarding a possible parasite.

After the leaves feel this winter, it was noticed that in all of our trees there are large clumps of leaves still attached to the branches. On further inspection, it looks like a cluster of small, under developed leaves of a different variety then the Willow tree. The clumps of very small leaves can be the size of a hand to the size of two watermelons. One tree with the most clusters of leaf material seems to be dying. From my observation it seems there is a parasitic growth happening.

I have never seen this happen in a Weeping Willow before. We love our trees, so any advise or ideas are welcome. And if this is a parasitic growth happening, what can be done to save our trees?

Thank you.

Martha

kieren · 17th February 2010, 10:41 PM

Do you have any photos!

Martha · 18th February 2010, 08:48 PM

Here are two photos of the plant clusters/clumps.
As you can see they are all over our trees!
What do you think?
Thanks.

Martha · 18th February 2010, 08:53 PM

If the pictures are too small, let me know.

Eric Frei · 19th February 2010, 05:20 AM

That'd have to be either "witches broom" or "mistletoe".

About the only remedy is cut it off and you have to cut it well beyond where it's attached as it literally has fine roots inside the tissue of the host tree.

Usually spread by birds.

17th February 2010, 10:02 PM	#1
Martha I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Dharamsala, India. Himachal Pradesh state. Posts: 3	Parasitic growth on Weeping Willows I am located in North India, in the Himachal Pradesh state. We have several large to medium size Weeping Willows growing on our property. And there is a concern regarding a possible parasite. After the leaves feel this winter, it was noticed that in all of our trees there are large clumps of leaves still attached to the branches. On further inspection, it looks like a cluster of small, under developed leaves of a different variety then the Willow tree. The clumps of very small leaves can be the size of a hand to the size of two watermelons. One tree with the most clusters of leaf material seems to be dying. From my observation it seems there is a parasitic growth happening. I have never seen this happen in a Weeping Willow before. We love our trees, so any advise or ideas are welcome. And if this is a parasitic growth happening, what can be done to save our trees? Thank you. Martha

17th February 2010, 10:41 PM	#2
kieren Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Adelaide Posts: 104	Re: Parasitic growth on Weeping Willows Do you have any photos!

18th February 2010, 08:48 PM	#3
Martha I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Dharamsala, India. Himachal Pradesh state. Posts: 3	Re: Parasitic growth on Weeping Willows Here are two photos of the plant clusters/clumps. As you can see they are all over our trees! What do you think? Thanks. Attached Thumbnails

18th February 2010, 08:53 PM	#4
Martha I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Dharamsala, India. Himachal Pradesh state. Posts: 3	Re: Parasitic growth on Weeping Willows If the pictures are too small, let me know.

19th February 2010, 05:20 AM	#5
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,993	Re: Parasitic growth on Weeping Willows That'd have to be either "witches broom" or "mistletoe". About the only remedy is cut it off and you have to cut it well beyond where it's attached as it literally has fine roots inside the tissue of the host tree. Usually spread by birds. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
black tar weeping from oak	MareeMartin	Ask an Arborist here	9	3rd February 2010 01:50 AM
weeping willow budding	Joey Meister	Ask an Arborist here	0	20th November 2009 02:37 PM
Tree Growth Striation\| Growth Crack\| Growth Split	Eric Frei	General Tree Chat	5	10th September 2009 07:48 AM
Weeping Birch? I'm not sure, help please!	TreeNewbie	Tree Identification \| ID \| Questions and Pictures	6	29th June 2009 02:11 PM
Weeping willow and owner	Houthakker	The Video Forum	13	6th August 2007 11:49 PM