Willow tree, bark falling off, roots cracking

[Laurenmack]

I have a really old Willow in my back yard - it has to be at least 20-30 years old - its about 4 feet in diameter. Most of the upper, larger branches have been cut down, although it is still a pretty tall tree.

About a year ago, large pieces of bark starting falling off and cracks started appearing vertically on the tree and horizontally across the exposed roots at the base of the tree. It looks like it is drying out.

The lawn service that cuts my grass has been trying to get me to cut it down, but I love this tree.

Is there anything that can be done to save it. I don't see any unusual bugs other than ants that I have been assured are NOT carpenter ants.

Thanks!
Lauren

 

[pinus]

Willows are very variative species. Most of them are short-lived trees and shrubs. Living only 20-30 years is quite normal for some from them. Only some few sorts of them can live up to 200 years.
I think that yours case can be a normal dying process, but I´m not the specialist.

 

[treeseer]

Remove the de3ad bark and see what you've got. If the bark is dry it's dead; don't pull off any moist or tough or bark with living tissue. Best to call an arborist to do this.

The cracks may be coming down from the wounds created by the branch loss.