Weeping Willow - Too Close??

[utseay]

I recently planted two weeping willows in my back yard. I originally had them about 55 to 60 ft apart - but my girlfriend insisted they go closer becaused they looked "odd" so far apart. I tried to explain to her how big they get, but she ended up talking me into going closer. They are now 45 ft apart. Is this too close? If you have to guess, how many years until they are touching? From the below picture, do you think 45 is far enough? I really only plan on living here another 10 years max - so I figured they couldn't get too out of control by then - right? Let me know what you think:

[utseay]

Can everyone see the pictures at the below link?

[e-mail] wrote:

[Doug Kanter]

Your girlfriend is a silly person. If she thinks 10 or 15 feet make a difference in terms of how odd those little trees look, she should have her eyes checked, and never EVER consider a career in art or landscape design.

***ALL*** small, newly planted trees look weird, no matter how you place them.

If your yard is moist, which is what weeping willows love, they'll be big enough in 10 years that you'll probably have to cut one down.

[Doug Kanter]

Go play stupid with someone else. Maybe your stapler is interested.

[utseay]

This is the "silly person" you were talking about and you know what? You're a jerk. You don't know me in the slightest bit to call me a silly person. Eric (utseay) was not asking what kind of person I am, he was asking a question about trees. I have my opinions on the issue, which are very valid and you have no right to make assumptions on what kind of person I am and what career I should be pursuing . I actually AM pursuing a career in design, so I know a little bit about what I'm talking about with layouts. I don't care how friekin big a willow gets, we would not be able to enjoy the space that is created between the willows at all by the time he sells this house years down the road. I understand that *********ALL************* small, newly planted trees look weird, no matter how you place them, BUT that's not the point. Besides, the DIRECTIONS say 45 feet apart is fine. Obviously you didn't write the directions, although it sounds like you think you should've. Long story short... get a life besides criticizing random people om message boards, thanks.

PS Oh and I have 20/20 vision. PPS Go screw yourself. maybe you won't be so miserable.

[Doug Kanter]

Have you ever seen a really well-grown weeping willow? They're absolutely enormous. Bigger than many houses. And, if the soil's nice and moist, these trees don't take long to reach that size.

[Pennyaline]

Good for you, my dear. Good for you. I'm pleased that you're taking up a career in design. Soon, you may understand that design isn't just a spatial thing. It concerns me, however, that you may fail to internalize any concept at all of the impact your actions have on posterity. You need greater understanding of the future other than how *you* might be effected by it.

Willows can reach monstrous size quite quickly, but in the event that they don't they certainly will by the time "Eric" sells the house. Correct? So, it doesn't matter how close the trees are to Eric, correct? Or to you either, correct?

Might it make a difference to the people who Eric is counting on to buy the house? Yes indeed, especially if they find themselves with crowding trees and perilous/damaging overhangs and the possibility of having to take one or both of them down.

Big whippy, you say? You would.

PS Oh, and your 20/20 vision? It'll be gone in less than twenty years. Thought you should know. DAMN that future! ;) PPS I think anyone compelled to screw him or herself *would* be miserable, so your logic fails on that point. You may need a good screw, though (or someone close to you).

[utseay]

This is Eric - this conversation went in a totally different direction than intended. I justed inquired about willows. I saw two 15 year old willows at my work that are less than 45 ft apart - they look good. I"ll post a pic later - thanks for the hlp!