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Ponds & Aquatic Plants

Willow tree

16 years ago

Hello, I hang out in butterfly, but have put a very large pond with a 90 foot brook, 2 bogs and 2 waterfalls...so i need a bit of advice.

I planted a willow tree (weeping) near the head of the stream...and also about 10 feet from the pond. My question, is I know willow roots are very known for their ability to do naughty things to water lines etc. Is this an unwise location for a willow tree? The pond as a 40 mil EDPM, and the water return is a very thick rubber 3" hose.

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Comments (4)

sleeplessinftwayne
16 years ago
I think it is a matter of how big the tree is, how much of it's moisture needs are met without roots invading the pond and what does Dirr's say about the final size of the tree. Some willows will climb right into the water and others are more restrained. If there are any patches in the liner or a place where the roots could slip into the water I would be concerned. The brook is likely to be easily disturbed. Sandy
debd18
16 years ago
I wouldn't take the chance if I were you. Willows are very shallow rooted and even with plenty of water the roots will not go deep enough to avoid harming your pond.

Another thing to consider is the constant fall of those leaves into the pond. I have a curly willow (which are not invasive like the weeping variety) about 50 feet or so from my pond and over winter quite a few of its leaves and even small branches got into the pond in spite of its solar cover.
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bradarmi
16 years ago
I would move the willow to another part of the garden or destroy it for two reasons:
1. They love water and wil most likely puncture the pond liner

2. The leaves are noxious...in fact, willow bark was originally used to make aspirin, back in the day. Asprin (acetylsalicytic acid) may alter pH of the pond in the fall when the leaves decompose.

If you want a weeping tree near the pond (it looks nice, I agree) I would put a Jap. maple or even a small, wheeping conifer (like a Weeping Yew, Tsuga something or other, etc.) for a safer effect.
comettose
16 years ago
Ditto on taking out the willow - messy trees that will ruin your liner, shed leaves and branches and are short lived.

I would not put any tree near the edge of my liner. Like bradarmi said - plant a weeping Japanese maple near the pond (at least 10 or 15 feet back IMO). It will grow over time and get quite wide.

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