Pruning a willow

Discussion in 'HortForum' started by Daniel Mosquin, Jul 22, 2022.

  1. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    The following question is being posted on behalf of @lisa harkin :

     
  2. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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  3. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    If you don't like the look of the dragging tips simply snip off those small portions at this time. With the annual or semi-annual severe lopping back of fully established willows as a maintenance procedure undertaken to produce a smaller crown than the tree would otherwise have being undertaken at end of winter. Keeping in mind that the particular point of the Salix caprea 'Kilmarnock' that your specimen is very likely to be an example of is the pendent branches. With the much too prevalent heavy barbering of these (and other weeping kinds of decorative trees such as cherries) to look like cocktail umbrellas or mushrooms being completely at odds with their specific purpose.
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2022
  4. lisa harkin

    lisa harkin New Member

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  5. lisa harkin

    lisa harkin New Member

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    Thank you for your help

    Thank you for your advice
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 25, 2022
  6. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Your picture reveals that the basis for your issue is that the specimen you were supplied is very short. So that it is going to grow mostly as a ground cover unless you install a support and train the tree up that to develop a significantly taller central stem. One from which the branches can hang without very soon hitting the ground. Or you transplant it when dormant (leafless) to a position such as the top of a wall of some height that it can cascade down from. In either case the fact that the variety is genetically programmed to produce branches of multiple feet in length means that allowance for this level of development will have to be made - the upright growing parental species of which 'Kilmarnock' is a drooping version sometimes produces a small tree. As in maybe 15'-35' tall.
     
  7. lisa harkin

    lisa harkin New Member

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    Thank you again for your response and the great information and advice . I have found the tag for the tree and it is Salix Capria Pendula . There is no mention of expected size just to remove wild upright growing shoots because it has been grafted. I think I’ll try to stake it as you suggest to get a little more height . We have trimmed the branches a few inches for now .
    Lisa
     

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