I recently moved and received a specially grafted dwarf weeping cherry tree as a gift. After moving, we had to remove a weeping willow that was planted too close to our house. Now, the cherry tree is dying, and a holly tree nearby has also suddenly died. My wife thinks the decomposing willow roots might be releasing toxins similar to the effects of willow leaves in standing water. Does anyone know how long I should wait before planting deep-rooted plants in this area? I'm thinking of waiting a few years and just planting wildflower seeds in the meantime. The soil is heavy clay and the ground slopes, and we're located in rural Wiltshire.
2 Answers
Your situation might point to honey fungus, which can be a real pain. If that's the case, it could take decades before it's safe to plant trees or shrubs in that spot. However, there are certain plants that are resistant, so doing some research online or consulting with a local nursery could be beneficial. Just make sure to check for any signs of the fungus before replanting.
It sounds like there could be a couple of issues at play here. Weeping trees can be pretty finicky, and heavy clay combined with last year's rain might be causing waterlogging, which can lead to root rot and diseases like phytophthora. The removal of that willow could have also contributed since it used to absorb a lot of water. Depending on what's going on, you might need to wait a while before planting deep-rooted plants, especially if the soil is saturated. Keep an eye on the cherry and maybe look into some drainage solutions as well.