Question
We have a major issue with our weeping willows. We lost 5 of our Hybrid Willows to a disease last year..and a BIG weeping willow ..now another BIG weeping Willow that is showing the same problem/ The bark starts peeling off.. like sunburned skin..branches die one or two at a time... PLEASE HELP.. we want to save this big willow...

Answer
Cherri:
Someone really needs to see these trees first hand to give an accurate assessment. In many cases lots of information may get lost in a telephone or written description of the problem. A couple of suggestions (1) contact your local county Extension office and get someone to come out to your home to see these.  There is a county Extension office in every county. If you cannot locate the phone number for yours, let me know what state and county you live in and I will check a couple of references and let you know.  (2) Contact your city arborist. Start with calling the mayors office to get the number or check with the yellow pages in phone book for tree specialists.

Lots of time there may be some internal decay that causes an irreversible decline. Microorganisms (fungus and bacteria) can enter a wound in the bark and set up housekeeping inside, causing this decay, thus wound prevention can go along way in keeping trees in good shape.

Regards

Steve