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Weeping Willow Tree

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by twwright on September 07, 2006 09:29 PM
I have a Weeping Willow Tree that has finally grown large enough to provide excellent shade in our hot Central Texas afternoons and the cats really appreciate it. However, the limbs are now growing so long that they touch the ground and it's becoming a problem at mowing time. There is a lot of grass underneath the canopy of leaves and branches (St. Augustine) and the mower runs over the leaves pulling the branch down and sometimes damages the leaves or branch. Anyone have a suggestion on how to mow around and under a Weeper? [dunno]
by Tonya on September 07, 2006 09:50 PM
Trim the branches back would be my suggestion. I know the tree will not be quite as pretty, but that is all I can think of. Good luck to you! Have any pics of the tree?? I just LOVE willows. [Cool]

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by Budman on September 08, 2006 12:29 AM
I would spray round-up on the grass growing under the tree and when the grass is dead (a couple of days max) I would then mulch under the tree and that way you dont have to ruin the natural look of the tree and can still just mow around it.
by twwright on September 08, 2006 02:30 AM
The Willow is so large it would be murder to "Round-Up" the grass area. I have hesitated to cut the branches, as you noted, it would ruin the look of the tree. Maybe not "ruin" it, but the new growth would be ugly. However, I don't really see any alternatives. I thought about getting some rope/string and surrounding the branches then pulling them into the center, tying it off and then mowing. Sounds like a lot of extra work to mow the grass every weekend. Wish we had planted the tree before the grass, but nooooo! I had to have my yard in first. Normally I would have taken Budman's advice but we're talking about an area ten feet in radius, so twenty feet squared diameter. Too much work for me, I'm out on that. I could spend the extra time digging for worms! ha ha Thanks guys as always, you are great!

Terry in Texas.
by afgreyparrot on September 08, 2006 04:02 AM
I mow under my weeping willow trees with a push mower, pulling it backwards instead of pushing it. Works like a charm...unless you forget that you have hummingbird feeders hanging in the tree, and hit them with your head...and then get sugar water all over your hair.

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Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car!
by Tonya on September 08, 2006 04:27 AM
[nutz] I do that with my Pin Oaks....I don't know WHY I didn't think of it for him... [dunno]

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by Budman on September 09, 2006 01:34 AM
I have a small Weeping Willow that I just planted last spring, so it is just getting started. I will have to remember not to hang any of my Hummer feeders on that thanks to af grey parrots advise, ha,ha... I have already mulched up to the drip line of the branches and am planning on continueing that as it grows so that I dont need to mow under it. I have an unlimited supply of hardwood mulch to use, so it wont be a problem (hopefully).
by afgreyparrot on September 09, 2006 01:41 AM
Budman...The hummingbird feeders look so pretty hanging from the willow branches...and the hummingbirds love them there. You just gotta remember that they are THERE when you are walking backwards with the lawnmower! [thumb]

I can knock my head into one, then totally forget it's there on my next pass with the mower...and when I'm finished mowing under the willows I have to hose myself down to get the sugar water off me, then fill the feeders back up! [Embarrassed] [Big Grin]

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Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car!
by jakesangel on September 11, 2006 05:03 AM
Terry I have the same problem as you, though my willow probably isn't quite that large. I usually let the grass grow under the tree till it really bothers me then I have hubby come out and hold back the limbs while I mow. lol
We did *round up* under it once this yr but I was afraid the limbs would get in the round up and I'd have ugly dead limbs haning from my tree!

I never thought of mulching under it. I might try that next Spring!

We have a neighbor who decided to *trim his limbs* this yr on his willow. OMG the thing looks so ugly now. lol He sat a bench under it, for looks I suppose since I never see him sitting out there in it! It looks like a bad haircut. lol I'm talking SHORT. [scaredy]

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