Pussy Willow Help

Sorry, seem to have put title as pussy willy help - can't seem to delete it. Hope I haven't offended anyone! Thanks
Hi there, I am after so practical help with my pussy willow tree.
Severely cut the tree about 5 months ago as it had grow quite wide in girth and was mostly dead underneath the growth. Cut it to basically a stump and left it alone. It has started growing again - much to my relief but the growth is straight, long growth - am I supposd to be tying the growth so it takes its downwards growth. Sorry, I hope this makes sense but as you can tell I am a complete novice!
Any advie/help would be greatfully received
Katho

 

Hi kathosullivan

It sounds like you've turned your tree into a pollard or coppice, depending on how high you've left the stump. If it's a weeping willow then the branches will droop down on their own accord, if it's not a weeping willow then they will carry on growing upright and create new stems. Keep an eye on the new regrowth as the branches will not be as strong as the original branches and will snap off if overloaded.

 

I'm just wondering if you have cut the top off of a grafted plant.

Maybe it was top grafted as a weeping plant and you have cut back below the graft.