To Prune or not to Prune.....

that is the question ..I have a weeeping salix...catkin tree......it is in a huge pot,and the weeping branches are nearly touching the ground..how safe is it for me to give it a nice style cut...now today......a good 12inch or more .....many thanks

 

Hi Littleorme,


Williows and hazels respond extremely well to hard pruning. Personally I would be more ruthless, I have taken mine down to the third bud before now and it hasn't ever given me any trouble. Third bud from the main stem I mean of course, although they can be coppiced too.

 

Many thanks Claire,so can I do it now, and not wait until it sheds it's leaves then?...I mean do I have to wait until the Autumn ?

 

No, you can do it now, I find ( in my part of the world) that late pruning-Autumn pruning is too risky for my garden in general, I did mine at the beginning of April but they put so much growth on it won't knock it back too much if you get chopping now at the start of May.

Have you fed them yet? They might appreciate a light feed after pruning.

 

I will do it tomorrow Claire...many thanks..you are a star