Harlequin willows are actually considered very robust plants. The desperation is all the greater when the branches and leaves suddenly dry up. The symptoms puzzle many gardeners. Most of the time, harmless care errors are behind the poor appearance. Only in a few cases are illnesses.
Why is my harlequin willow drying up and what can I do?
If a harlequin willow dries up, incorrect location, growth disorders or diseases and parasites can be the cause. Optimize the location by providing sufficient water and space. Cut back dried branches and treat parasites and diseases if necessary.
Possible causes
- wrong location
- Growth disorders
- Diseases and Parasites
Wrong location
- drought
- too little space
If there are dried leaves on your harlequin willow, it may be in an unsuitable location. This should be bright, but not too sunny. If your harlequin willow does not receive enough water, you should not neglect watering. Since the tree is a shallow-rooted plant, the underground parts of the plant should have enough space to spread out.
Growth disorders
Sometimes the harlequin willow produces branches with unusually thin tips in summer. A strong pruning promotes new growth. You will see that your harlequin willow will recover quickly by removing any dried leaves.
Diseases and Parasites
- the willow borer
- the red spider
- Aphids
- Spider mites
It is rare for a harlequin willow to be infected by a virus, but it cannot be completely ruled out. In this case, you should try all biological means to combat it before resorting to chemical fungicides in an extreme emergency. Remember that using aggressive agents will drive away the parasites, but can also cause permanent damage to your plant.
You can recognize the red spider, for example, by spraying fine water spray onto the branches. Their spider threads become visible thanks to the water droplets that stick to them. You can see the willow borer with the naked eye. Its white or dark red larvae reach a body length of up to ten centimeters.
- Remove all infected branches of the harlequin willow
- Never dispose of these in the compost heap
- It's best to burn the diseased branches
- Never cut so deeply that you damage the grafted trunk
