Willow Anthracnose - Tree Injection ?

[quaker]

Hi, new to the group perhaps someone can help / advise.

I have 12 Weeping Golden Willows, approx 5 yrs old each.

They have developed Willow Anthracnose, were they were shooting nicely in March/ April, and have now all but lost their leaves and look almost bare. What leaves are left are small, stunted curled and spotted. Some thin branches have black on them.

 

Is there anything that can be done for them ? I have seen that Scotts Fungus Fighter concentrate maybe helpful to them but as they are very tall I cant reach them to spray them.

 

So, my question is could this treatment / chemical be injected into the tree instead. ? which will allow it to work systemically and without me breaking my neck trying to spray them. ? or is there another injectable treatment that might save them ?

 

Does anyone have any experience with this disease ? is it worth trying or just chop them down and give up, plant something else instead ?

 

 

[Paul Cleaver]

older trees often manage with it ok - your trees seem to have been hit hard so young - I wonder if their are some fundamental underlying issues which are affecting the trees?

[quaker]

I hope they may come back later in the year for a second flush so to speak , but they look so pityfull almost like winter has hit them leaving just branches . This may be why I don’t see any weeping willows in this part of west wales anywhere either on river banks or in back yards etc , perhaps the conditions and funguses keep them Down .