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What advice can you give me about planting willow trees. It is well known that they grow fast and have pretty invasive and destructive root systems. 1. I’ve also read they are tend to blow down in high winds, or branches break and are very messy and drop a lot of twigs is this true? 2. How far should 4-6 ft high starter trees be planted away from each other? 3. How far should willow trees be planted away from Fences, underground power lines, underground cable and telephone and plumbing lines so roots do not to cause any problems a few years down the road?4. How long will a starter tree 4-6 ft high with a trunk of a half inch to an inch wide take to (the thickness of your thumb) take to produce enough cover for a privacy wall? 5.How tall will the willow grow, how large will the canopy grow and how far out will the root system grow from the base of the tree? 6. would you suggest a better tree or shrub like a 5-7 ft high aborvitea that would offer more cover and privacy right from the start and be less of a problem than the willow tree? Thanks

1. I’ve also read they are tend to blow down in high winds, or branches break and are very messy and drop a lot of twigs is this true?

Yes they can be messy but no messier than a maple tree for instance.

2. How far should 4-6 ft high starter trees be planted away from each other?

25′ or more

3. How far should willow trees be planted away from Fences, underground power lines, underground cable and telephone and plumbing lines so roots do not to cause any problems a few years down the road?

60′ or more…especially from water and sewer lines or leach fields

4. How long will a starter tree 4-6 ft high with a trunk of a half inch to an inch wide take to (the thickness of your thumb)  take to produce enough cover for a privacy wall?

This is not a good use for willows since they need to be planted so far apart.  An established weeping willow can grow several feet a year.

5.How tall will the willow grow, how large will the canopy grow and how far out will the root system grow from the base of the tree?

They grow to 40′ tall with a 35′ spread…at least

6. would you suggest a better tree or shrub like a 5-7 ft high aborvitea that would offer more cover and privacy right from the start and be less of a problem than the willow tree?

Large Green Giant Arborvitae will be a better option.  More on them HERE

 

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