We've planted a lot of trees on our little farm, but the most gorgeous tree of all was already here. It's a huge weeping willow that dominates our yard as you drive up the long lane toward the house and barn. I don't know how old it is or who planted it, but we're glad it's here, despite the piles of twigs, leaves and branches that it's constantly shedding.
Clean-up underneath the willow after a winter's worth of storms takes three of us several hours, and that isn't the only maintenance it needs: we've had an arborist cable it and have it professionally pruned every two or three years, depending on how many branches get ripped off high up.
In mid-summer, I give it a pruning to lift its skirts, so we can get the mower underneath without tripping over its weeping branches. I've got it down to an art, clipping the hanging branches at different lengths so it doesn't look like a bad haircut.
Our willow is in flower right now and set off against the blue skies we've enjoyed this week, it looks about as magestic as a tree can be. Is it worth all the effort and care? You bet. Would I plant one if it wasn't already here? Hmmmmm....
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