Weak wooded trees with a weak structure
I've written previously in this blog about how I love weeping willow trees and how I planted two of them for sentimental reasons, even though I knew better. (See "Weeping willow, a weak-wooded tree" and "One tree not to plant"
I planted them about a dozen years ago. They grew fast, and they were beautiful for a few years. However, they've created a problem in nearly every episode of extreme weather we've experienced.
The devastating ice storm that hit Kentucky a few days ago was particularly hard on my weeping willows. I expect that we will cut them down and spray any sprouts with Roundup. I've had the experience of owning weeping willows now, and it wasn't nearly as pleasant as I thought it would be. I don't want to repeat it.
The tree in front of them -- the undamaged one -- is a black walnut that was planted at about the same time.
More photos of the ice damage to our trees
"The power to recognize trees at a glance without examining their leaves or flowers or fruit as they are seen, for example, from the car-window during a railroad journey, can only be acquired by studying them as they grow under all possible conditions over wide areas of territory. Such an attainment may not have much practical value, but once acquired it gives to the possessor a good deal of pleasure which is denied to less fortunate travelers."
3 comments -- please add yours:
Thats a shame. I recently came back from Southern NH and saw all the ice storm devastation to the trees there. And thats where the devastation really is with these storms. At times along certain roads it seemed every other tree was snapped in half.
Here's to the black walnut.
Yes, if the trees had survived intact, many of the power lines would be intact also. A lady from a town just north of here told me that all the trees there look like toothpicks pointing to the sky. Their entire town has been without electricty, but I think some of it has been restored now.
My weeping willow is still intact after an ice storm deformed the shape. Im hoping to reform it in warmer weather. Anyone have an idea how to best do this?
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