Pond root over stump weeping willow?

[onlyrey]

A neighbour of mine wants to put a chinese weeping willow on top of a stump in the neighborhood pond. He knows I'm into trees, so he asked me if it would survive if we tied it to the stump in a root over rock fasion. The roots would only see water initially. is this something a willow can survive? Here is the stump, it moght be 3 feet deep at that point. Here's a photo of the stump.

 

[TomB]

I'd say there's a good chance - willow branches readily root in water after all.

 

[GGB]

Just remember that the stump will decompose. Probably quickly. And that will leave you with a hovering willow, which could look bad ass, but could also be extremely unsteady if the roots arent deep and thick.

 

[sorce]

I think it will be destroyed by the elements.

But, I want to see pictures!
You must do it!

Sorce

 

[M. Frary]

I don't think it will work. Willows like water but don't grow in the middle of ponds like a cypress. They can take the trunk being submerged for some time but not all of the time. They live on the edge of ponds.

 

[GrimLore]

Hollow the top out a bit and plant it in not on top of the stump, Actually anchor it to the stump with long screws and let nature take its course...

Grimmy

 

[sorce]

Hollow the top out a bit and plant it in not on top of the stump, Actually anchor it to the stump with long screws and let nature take its course...

Grimmy

I like that....

I was thinking just cut some regular willow branches and jam them in the soil all the way around the stump.....
Jam a few in there.....

Tie em all down and see what happens.

One sole nursery "Chinese" willow sounds like a waste of time.....

But out of 20-30 cuttings, something has to take.
I'd use branches from the closest willow around. One that knows the pond, the weather, already.

Sorce

 

[GGB]

F**k it! use the stump as root stock and graft some bald cypress branches to it. that'll work right?..

 

[Rivka]

i'm so dying to know if you ever did one of these suggestions to that stump in the lake?