Weeping Pussy willow unhappy in pot.

Jooleypooley

Received a pussy willow in a pot 4 years ago, repotted it & seemed happy until this year. I'm nervous to plant in the ground of my medium size garden as I heard how thirsty the roots are. However, I live opposite a public park, with a few giant weeping Willows growing along a Stream in the far section, the stream runs under a 'football pitch' (which my house overlooks from a steep slope). The pitch is flooded most of winter so is only used by kids in the summer). Can i guerilla garden and put it there? Not on the pitch, but just up from it- there are a few other mature trees on the slope. Thought it could help stop the pitch from flooding. Alternatively can I repot it to try and save it. I can't bear the idea of it dying or throwing it away.

Hostafan1

Welcome to the Forum.
Can you supply a photo? 
I'd certainly NOT go planting it in a public park. 

Jooleypooley

Ok thanks. Usually tree is covered in leaves by now, but has only a few &  lots of dead looking branches.
Wasn't thinking of doing guerilla gardening now, but thinking of after the lockdown?

Hostafan1

Imagine what parks would look like if everyone randomly planted stuff they don't want any more? Please don't.
I'd cut it back to that new growth at the top and get it in the ground in your own garden. 

Jooleypooley

Ok thanks. My gardens not big enough for a weeping willow. Will see if anyone wants it locally before it goes in the compost then. 

Fairygirl

Is it one of those Kilmarnock willows that get sold everywhere?
They don't get like the big ones you see on riverbanks etc

BobTheGardener

If the pot came from a garden centre etc., it may be an ornamental variety and, if so, some of those only grow to about 3m in a couple of decades.  I would plant it in the garden and keep an eye on it.  You can always take it out if it looks like it's the native one and grows too quickly for your liking.  If that happens, just cut a 2ft section off of one of the branches and plant it - they root very easily - and then the tree will survive from the cutting when you take the big one out.  

Hostafan1

Fairygirl said:

Is it one of those Kilmarnock willows that get sold everywhere?
They don't get like the big ones you see on riverbanks etc

I agree, Kilmarnock willow. Not Huge, just ugly ( usually )

Fairygirl

Yes - they aren't the most pleasing item in a garden @Hostafan1 ....
They're ok in spring with some bulbs underneath, but after that, they're pretty
nothing-y.
We had a group of them at the last house [inherited, not planted by me!] beside one end of the pond, and they were useful cover for the sparrows as they flitted across to the feeders. 

Hostafan1

Fairygirl said:

Yes - they aren't the most pleasing item in a garden @Hostafan1 ....
They're ok in spring with some bulbs underneath, but after that, they're pretty
nothing-y.
We had a group of them at the last house [inherited, not planted by me!] beside one end of the pond, and they were useful cover for the sparrows as they flitted across to the feeders. 

we inherited one in this garden, had a prop against it at it was at 45degrees, so out it came.

Fairygirl

I think those ones we had, were of the same inclination....

Right in the firing line of the prevailing wind.