StihlKiwi
ArboristSite Guru
I've been cutting willow poles from the small nursery on our farm, to plant for erosion control. The poles are all chinese willow (salix matsudana), and have been cut two or three times over the past 15 or so years. I've noticed that the general health of the poles is pretty poor - there seems to be rot and decay around where the new leaders have coppiced from, which is killing some of the crop. Its not something I've come across before and I'm not sure what has caused it, maybe a canker or other disease? The nursery is in a wet spot, but no wetter than most of the places we plant these poles, so I don't think that is the issue.
I will most probably knock the whole lot over and start again with newer rootstock, but I'm reluctant to do that if there is a fungus or disease present that will do the same to the new stock.
Any ideas or suggestions to what the issue may be would be appreciated.
I will most probably knock the whole lot over and start again with newer rootstock, but I'm reluctant to do that if there is a fungus or disease present that will do the same to the new stock.
Any ideas or suggestions to what the issue may be would be appreciated.
