The Orchid Garden

Weeping willow trees

Question:

I’ve always loved the weeping willow tree, but my husband and I are in a deadlock.   He says willow trees are known troublemakers.  Their roots seek moisture and usually this means seeking out  underground water pipes.   He says they will eventually rupture the pipes and then he will be in for a lot of work repairing them.  He says most city lots are too small for a willow tree.  How much  room does one tree need? Is this scientific fact or an old fable? Sunny

Response:

Willows do love water. How big do they get – under the right conditions, tremendous. Just saw two today that were at least 60 feet tall with trunks at least 5 feet iin diameter. They were next to a small creek in a rural area. I love willows and we have planted several. But I would not recommend them for a city lot unless you have at least an acre.

Response:

I consider willows, all kinds, to be marginal plants which need to be planted near creeks, ponds or lake sides.  Their roots are incredibly invasive and aggressive in the soil as they splay out as much as ten times their drip line diameter.  Your husband is positively correct and though I don’t want to get into the middle of this thing, please listen to him.  If you live in the south, you should look into a Texas native called, desert willow.  It has that willowy, billowy look, and it also has orchid like flowers all summer.  It is a magnificent specimen tree and is far superior to the messy, messy common willows.  To give you an example:  My neighbor had a weeping willow in the front of his garden home, or as some call it, town home (separate but zero lot line) and after 4 years had to call the plumber and clear out his entire house because it was completely flooded by the broken water main into the house.  The willow was responsible.  Now, if you live in an area which gets about 60-70 inches of rain a year, a willow is not that awfully aggressive, but they are a bloody mess on decks, and anything near them on the ground. I hope you make it all work out, Best, Victoria – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve always loved the weeping willow tree, but my husband and I are in a deadlock.   He says willow trees are known troublemakers.  Their roots seek moisture and usually this means seeking out  underground water pipes.   He says they will eventually rupture the pipes and then he will be in for a lot of work repairing them.  He says most city lots are too small for a willow tree.  How much  room does one tree need? Is this scientific fact or an old fable? Sunny

Response:

We have 5 huge willows on our property. They are probably at least 50 feet tall. I would definitely be cautious about a city lot and a willow. We have a pond in the back of the yard (we have 10 acres) and the willows can really bring the level of the water down in the pond when we hit even the smallest droughts. Their roots can really be invasive as they can be very persistant in their need for water. Although they are very beautiful trees, they are huge drinkers and will find water, even if means ruining pipes to get at it. Cheystar zone 5

Response:

of work repairing them.  He says most city lots are too small for a willow tree.  How much  room does one tree need?

As much as I’d like to side with you a weeping willow is not a tree for a city lot, not even a suburban lot unless it is at least 2 acres. These trees get to be HUGE if they’ve got access to water, though they will not ’seek out’ your water pipes but will damage them if the roots get to them in any case. Though they fill out early in spring (a good thing) they also tend to shed leaves, branches and twigs and are not strong trees in storms. Moreover, you want a large lot so you can actually see the tree from a distance to truly appreciate its beauty. Make your husband buy you a house in the country. Jeff — Bongo gets all his vitamins every day! [www.bongoboy.com]

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I consider willows, all kinds, to be marginal plants which need to be planted near creeks, ponds or lake sides.  Their roots are incredibly invasive and aggressive in the soil as they splay out as much as ten times their drip line diameter.  Your husband is positively correct and though I don’t want to get into the middle of this thing, please listen to him.  If you live in the south, you should look into a Texas native called, desert willow.  It has that willowy, billowy look, and it also has orchid like flowers all summer.  It is a magnificent specimen tree and is far superior to the messy, messy common willows.  To give you an example:  My neighbor had a weeping willow in the front of his garden home, or as some call it, town home (separate but zero lot line) and after 4 years had to call the plumber and clear out his entire house because it was completely flooded by the broken water main into the house.  The willow was responsible.  Now, if you live in an area which gets about 60-70 inches of rain a year, a willow is not that awfully aggressive, but they are a bloody mess on decks, and anything near them on the ground. I hope you make it all work out, Best, Victoria I could be wrong but the Desert Willow isn’t so invasive. People around here have them all over and they don’t seem to have a problem with them in that way. Now, that darn Globe Willow is another thing entirely. LOL Spirit Explorer If you are looking for a great present…try giving some Chuck Wagaon Sourdough Starter! We also have recipes and other links of interest.             http://www.zianet.com/witchy/

I didn’t say the desert willow was aggressive.  I said it was magnificent.  I guess I should have said it is a native in parts of the country which get anywhere from 10-35 inches of rain, annually.  I don’t know how it would do in the southern states which have rain frequently.  And yes, they are beautiful. The globe willows are also beautiful.  I mean really beautiful. But they are quite invasive and aggressive too.  If I were to plant any willow on the property, it would be the globe, but not any closer than 100 feet from the house, maybe further.  A desert willow is much different.  Oh they are beautiful trees. Victoria

Response:

: I’ve always loved the weeping willow tree, but my husband and I are in a : deadlock.   He says willow trees are known troublemakers.  Their roots seek : moisture and usually this means seeking out  underground water pipes.   He : says they will eventually rupture the pipes and then he will be in for a lot : of work repairing them.  He says most city lots are too small for a willow : tree.  How much  room does one tree need? Weeping willows look marvellous in a field, but they don’t belong on a small property.  They are too big, and too messy. Not only can they ruin your pipes and sewage, they have been known to push in foundation walls.  They have a root system that extends beyond the drip line.  Surface roots and heavy shade will prevent anything from growing anywhere near them even grass. Also, they harbor all kinds of insects. gloria —

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I consider willows, all kinds, to be marginal plants which need to be planted near creeks, ponds or lake sides.  Their roots are incredibly invasive and aggressive in the soil as they splay out as much as ten times their drip line diameter.  Your husband is positively correct and though I don’t want to get into the middle of this thing, please listen to him.  If you live in the south, you should look into a Texas native called, desert willow.  It has that willowy, billowy look, and it also has orchid like flowers all summer.  It is a magnificent specimen tree and is far superior to the messy, messy common willows.  To give you an example:  My neighbor had a weeping willow in the front of his garden home, or as some call it, town home (separate but zero lot line) and after 4 years had to call the plumber and clear out his entire house because it was completely flooded by the broken water main into the house.  The willow was responsible.  Now, if you live in an area which gets about 60-70 inches of rain a year, a willow is not that awfully aggressive, but they are a bloody mess on decks, and anything near them on the ground. I hope you make it all work out, Best, Victoria

I could be wrong but the Desert Willow isn’t so invasive. People around here have them all over and they don’t seem to have a problem with them in that way. Now, that darn Globe Willow is another thing entirely. LOL Spirit Explorer If you are looking for a great present…try giving some Chuck Wagaon Sourdough Starter! We also have recipes and other links of interest.              http://www.zianet.com/witchy/

Response:

I’ve always loved the weeping willow tree, but my husband and I are in a deadlock.   He says willow trees are known troublemakers.  Their roots seek moisture and usually this means seeking out  underground water pipes.   He says they will eventually rupture the pipes and then he will be in for a lot of work repairing them.  He says most city lots are too small for a willow tree.  How much  room does one tree need? Is this scientific fact or an old fable?

It’s fact.  However, most houses have all their plumbing / sewer acess from the street side.  So, it is perfectly safe to plant a weeping willow in the back yard as long as it is at least 30 feet from the foundation. Chris Owens

Response:

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