Re: Salix x sepulcralis
Shoot User
Hi Maria,
This could be a number of things, but the initial things that come to mind are the diseases ‘willow anthracnose’ and ‘willow scab’. Both are fungal diseases. Willow anthracnose causes brown spots and lesions to appear on young leaves and stems, which then die back and become distorted and twisted. Willow scab causes irregular dark spots on young leaves and stems which enlarge until the area becomes shrivelled and black.
Do either of these sound like what you’re seeing? Salix x sepulcralis is supposedly fairly resistant to willow anthracnose, but this doesn’t guarantee it won’t be affected.
As they’re fungal infections, you might find that they clear up as the weather gets drier and warmer. Most trees recover on their own, so there shouldn’t be any need for intervention on your part. Simply collect and burn any fallen leaves, and maybe prune out any particularly infected stems, but not so many that the shape of the tree is affected.
If you want an expert opinion you could always try sending a sample to the RHS pest and disease identification service (if you’re a member).
Hope this helps!
Katy
Replied: Tuesday 25th of May 2010 04:43 PM
