Diseased willow. What now?

[@grendel_nz]

You are very easy to hangout w and see all the rural activites. What the weather throws at you etc. Hope you get on top of this pest issue.

[@ceceliahuxford8951]

Thanks for sharing this video. I have the same problem on my willow patch :( they have ravaged my dicky meadows but seem to leave my other varieties alone, but dicky meadows is such a staple. I would recommend pruning the galls in the late spring/early summer when the willow is significantly grown and the galls are apparent, but before the larva has hatched. You want to clip and burn the little buggers before they escape and continue to procreate! You can tell by cutting open the pods and seeing where the larva is at (or if there is an obvious exit hole) it's an ongoing battle though and I have yet to completely get rid of. Best of luck!

[@HannaVanAelst]

Hi Cecelia, Thanks so much for letting me know you have this issue too and how you tackle it, so helpful! I was thinking I should start cutting them in spring before the first batch hatches. I probably will never fully get rid of it, but if I can keep it in check that would be fine with me....

[@akly1379]

I love hanging out with you just chilling with willow, I find it kind of soothing, I'm really sorry you have to deal with this though, hopefully, things will start looking up for your willow over the coming years! Best of luck!

[@HannaVanAelst]

Thank you so much Kellie!

[@GrizzlyGroundswell]

Uffda, glad you caught this! Even better you caught it on vid and shared it!

[@HannaVanAelst]

It's an ongoing issue I will keep an eye on. A follow up video will be made I'm sure at some point!

[@pamelabarron9468]

So sorry to see this...It looks like a really huge job. I've had some of problems this year with my willow. There's a variety with spots on the leaves, and there was a tiny green worm eating the leaves of another variety. I haven't had time to look up what it is. We had a cold wet spring which may have contributed to the problems. I've been wondering if I should be separating my willow beds. I've been an organic farmer for 20 years, and I don't usually plant single crops in one place, as it attracts bugs and disease. Maybe willow is the same. Good luck. I hope you get this under control.

[@HannaVanAelst]

Hi Pamela, Yes planting them close together as a monoculture seems more and more a bad idea. But having some pests is not anything bad, it's food for birds etc. Only this one got a little out of control!

[@danielbrockett1469]

Sad to see this, did you find out what it is exactly yet? Would love to see more videos.

[@HannaVanAelst]

Hi Daniel, still not really sure but I will manage whatever way, by trimming the galls out regularly I am hoping. Thanks! I will post more soon....

[@dorothymccall1839]

Using wild willow along the banks of the creeks, will look to see if this disease is among the willows. Not even sure what type of willows these are but have noticed that there is at least three varieties, I think. Good luck on conquering the problem. I have noticed that they are not as straight as yours or as tall and the tall one are thicker around. Nevertheless, I will continue trying to make the baskets. Your videos give me courage to try, and I thank you for sharing your skill

[@HannaVanAelst]

Dorothy, how exciting that you are starting on this journey too! The varieties I grow are all specific basket making varieties, grown for centuries because they are straight and thin. But it would be really interesting to try out your local ones!

[@dorothymccall1839]

Hanna Van Aelst how does one either get seeds or seedlings of your varieties of willow and is it possible for them to grow at 5000 feet

[@HannaVanAelst]

Hi Dorothy, you can buy basket making willow from other basket makers or willow suppliers. What country do you live in? I can send you your nearest suppliers details. Seems like you are very high but all willow needs is a moderate temperature, not too hot or cold, and regular rainfall.

[@dorothymccall1839]

Hanna Van Aelst live in the United States, NE Oregon in the Blue Mountains. Thank you for replying to my questions.

[@HannaVanAelst]

Look up Katherine Lewis of Dunbar gardens. She sells willow cuttings and posts them out. She is a very knowledgeable and excellent basket maker!

[@kathryncastanares525]

Im so sorry about your willow. Im hoping you have been able to get it under control. I was trying to do some research about an issue of my own I've been having with my willow and your video popped up. I have an issue with my branches turning black and then dying off. I have been cutting out every bit of black i see and it will come back as soon as the next day and sometimes starting in the middle of the branch instead of the ends. Im so worried about my trees and there is absolutely no info on my specific issue. I hate to burden you with my own issues while you may still be dealing with your own. But if you have any idea and the time to shsre any advice you may have, i would be forever grateful. I have been growing locust and some fruit trees for a while now. But i am still quite new to willow. I am already so grateful to have found your videos and knowledge. So thank you so very much.

[@HannaVanAelst]

Do you have any pictures? I have not experienced this but might be able to see what it could be from a picture.

[@kristawelch-chapman5463]

So sorry about this! Could you mow the field and then burn all the cuttings ? It might save you some time. Also maybe you should do this before the leaves drop so the insects don't have time to hatch out! I enjoy watching what ever you put out there, so keep your videos coming , instructional and daily life. Thanks so much.

[@HannaVanAelst]

Hi Krista, I will cut it all down as soon as possible yes. To be continued! I'm really happy to hear you enjoy the videos!

[@kavat100]

Thanks for sharing. Really sad to hear though. Beginner at willow so don't listen to my thoughts too seriuos. ;) Someone else said similar thing. Monoculture is feast for "pests". If i had the problem in an established field I would be more drastic, not wait. and I would be harsh on those varieties next season. Cut them right back early- no harvesting for maybee some years? Love your videos both real life and instuctions. I live in Sweden and has just started my SMALL willowproject in permaculture/agroforestry setting. Look forward to next video. About different varieties maybee and their different qualities? How to plan for a basketproject, wich variety is suitable where in the basket..that would be very helpfull..soaking too much (waisting material) and wrong amount. Soo much to learn! sympathy for your x:a work and loss of material.

[@HannaVanAelst]

Hi Ann, Thanks for the encouragement and all the video suggestions! I will definitely do one on varieties soon.... And yes willow in monoculture is never a great idea. We have tried to spread our beds out over a wide area and planted different varieties together, not all the same ones. I guess with this issue I had no clue at the start what we were dealing with so it got somewhat out of hand! But I am also learning still. Much love

[@dulsuasortfein6976]

Hi Hanna, Sorry to hear that you have problems with your willow ! But I do have a suggestion for you, that I would try out...........Get in contact with Seed savers in Scarrif Co Clare. I’m sure that they have come across these issues with willow before and would be able to offer you an explanation and some means of overcoming this problem ! Worth a try. Regs Brendan from Cork

[@HannaVanAelst]

Hi Brendan, thank you for your suggestion. I have thought at seed savers. And even though they are excellent at what they do they don t know much about growing willow. I know what this issue is by now... see in upcoming video. Much love h

[@nealgrey6485]

Yes, I like your video's. From you I have learned how to make a basic basket. I particularly appreciated your berry basket video, since I before that one I only knew how to twine the sides (up to where the border was to be). I don't have access to willow (North-Central Washington State--an arid region), but I purchase reed online, and I practice your techniques. We're you to make other video's, I would appreciate simple practical information. Such as, if you, or someone you know, has a small garden, what 10 things would they grow (kale, parsnips, etc...) How do you or someone else REALLY cook an old rooster. Or perhaps no one really does this any more? May I suggest that you ask your viewers for suggestions. And please ask at the end of EVERY video! And of course, a tip or two on basketmaking once in a while!!! Good luck.

[@HannaVanAelst]

Hi Ny, So happy the video's are useful to you and thank you for the excellent topic suggestions! We do kill our own chickens, and grow our own food. So that could easily be in a video.

[@stevengoodfellow]

You could try peppering, it's a biodynamics technique. There's also neem oil or could try planting aromatics such as wormwood, mugwort, rosemary, lavender alongside the beds