Weeping Willow Decline: Black Trunk, Holes, and Yellowing Leaves

Weeping Willow Decline: Black Trunk, Holes, and Yellowing Leaves

An 8-year-old weeping willow with a blackened trunk, eraser-sized holes, yellowing leaves, and dying branches—but no oozing—may be suffering from woodpecker activity, herbicide damage, or root stress from rapid growth followed by heat.

Assessment

• Holes in straight lines: Likely woodpecker (sapsucker) feeding; rarely fatal.
• Black trunk: Indicates dead bark/cambium; could be from herbicide (weed-and-feed) uptake.
• Yellowing, leaf drop: Tree shedding excess foliage it cannot support in heat.

Action Plan

1. Stop all herbicide use near tree.
2. Water deeply: 1 inch daily for 2 weeks, then every 3 days to flush potential herbicide.
3. Prune dead branches.
4. Apply slow-release tree fertilizer.
5. Wait one full growing season before considering removal.

Willows are resilient; many recover with reduced stress.