Can I plant this willow in a berm???

13 years ago

We just cut some rotted maples out of a very swampy area of our yard. We are planning to plant a weeping willow tree there to try to absorb some of the water (and because it'll look so pretty! Don't worry: no septic lines or buildings nearby...)

This area is lower than the rest of the lawn; our whole property slopes gently downhill. We've been slowly trying to "fill" this section over the past couple of years by dumping brush, leaves, and garden refuse there. Ideally we'd like to raise the grade about 12" and seed it with grass so the lawn continues down there. However, we can't afford the $$ for the loam right now. I'd like to plant the willow, though, so it can get started growing. I wonder if you think this plan will work:

---Get a pickup truck load (couple of yards?) of loam or compost and create a mound where I want the willow to be. Dig as far down into the mucky fill as I can (probably only about 4" due to the un-rotted sticks under there...) and plant the willow in the mound of loam. Continue to fill around it as we are able, eventually topping with loam and grass......

I wouldn't try this on a flat, dry lawn, since I know the willow needs a lot of water. But do you think it will be OK since it's so mucky and moist just below the surface in that spot? I imagine my mound would be about 14" high in the middle and taper off, with 2 yards... what do you think?

Also, would you use regular pit loam (which will likely be fairly sandy and lacking in organic matter) or well-aged cow manure compost (I have access to some lovely stuff that's several years old.) The ground there now, as noted, is currently composed of rotting leaves, sticks, etc... so eventually there'll be a nice rich base layer.

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Comments (4)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
hey

its a willow.. break a branch off a tree and stick it in the ground.. and most it will probably grow ...

i like your idea of elevating it a bit .. but i dont know if you need a truck load berm for it all ...

i would not bother digging into the muck .. just take the truck load.. shovel it off.. and plant your tree ...

i am not even sure i would go with any kind of foo foo soil ... trees like high drainage ... though a new transplant will need PROPER watering for two years ... cheap sand will probably work just as good .... anything but waste soil ... really bad stuff ...

get the best you can for the least amount of money ...

dont overthink planting a willow ... just stick it in the ground.. and water deeply.. and thoroughly throughout the summer.. and in drought next year.. and you should win

ken

ps: wish you were dealing with a dormant tree ... but again.. its a willow .... insert in ground and water ...
Stacey Collins
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks, Ken!

Now I know what I will be doing on Mother's Day... planting my new willow tree :)

It's still early in the season here. Our forsythia just started blooming a couple days ago, so I'm thinking the tree won't get too stressed (unless it was trucked here from somewhere more southern...) but as you point out, not a super fussy tree to begin with. I'll make sure to keep it well watered...

I am glad you think my little berm idea will be OK. At least the tree can get settled in and start growing, and hopefully next year we can get the rest of the area filled in and turn it into lawn.

Thank you for your reply!
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scotjute Z8
13 years ago
Can a willow be killed by backfilling with a foot of soil?
If they can grow roots by sticking a limb in the ground, would adding a foot of fill around a weeping willow kill it?
Stacey Collins
Original Author
13 years ago
Hi scotjute,

I'm not sure what your question is.... My plan is to build a little mound for the willow to grow in, and eventually fill the surrounding area to the same height as the top of the mound. The ground level at the tree's trunk wouldn't change. Is there another concern I'm not seeing about this plan?

Can I plant this willow in a berm???

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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

Stacey Collins
Original Author

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Can I plant this willow in a berm???

Comments (4)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

Stacey CollinsOriginal Author

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scotjute Z8

Stacey CollinsOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Stacey Collins
Original Author

Stacey Collins
Original Author