Question
about four years ago we plants a weeping willow tree. It was sick for two years and finally died.  The only thing I could find wrong was the root system at the ground level could be pulled off in chunks by hand, revealing rotten looking wood, and tiny (1/32 inch or smaller) white worm like critters in the rotten wood.  Tried to kill them but nothing worked and the tree finally succumbed. Want to plant another will but not sure what to do about the bugs.  What are they / how to kill them?
Thanx,
Ron

Answer
Hi Ron,
Thanx for your question.  I am not a tree expert but we do have a tree expert here on Allexperts.  His name is Jim Hyland.  He is available on the Trees forum.  Go to Home/Gardening, click on Trees and then click on Trees again.  Unfortunately, Jim is on vacation until 6/13/2009.

I went ahead and did some research for you.  It sounds like it might be a willow borer.  Check out these links.

http://www.entomology.umn.edu/cues/Web/188PoplarWillowBorer.pdf
http://www.forestpests.org/poplar/willowborer.html
http://pep.wsu.edu/hortsense/scripts/query/displayProblem.asp?problemID=520&tabl...

Like I said, I'm not a tree expert and Jim is.  He was with the US Forestry Service.  Always consult with your local County Extension Agent or Arborist before trying to diagnose and treat tree diseases.

I hope this helps.
Tom