Okay, so today I wanted to talk about pruning dappled willows. I’ve got a few of these in my yard, and they can get pretty wild if you don’t stay on top of them. So, I grabbed my tools and got to work.
First off, I assessed the overall shape of the willows. They were getting a bit leggy and overgrown, not the nice, full shape I was going for. I decided to give them a good trim to encourage bushier growth and bring back that beautiful variegated foliage.
I started by removing any dead or diseased branches. These were easy to spot – they were either brown and brittle or had some weird fungus-looking stuff on them. I made sure to cut these back to a healthy part of the stem, just above a bud or a side branch. Snip, snip!
Next, I focused on thinning out the overcrowded areas. There were a bunch of branches crossing each other and competing for light. I carefully selected which ones to remove, aiming for a more open and airy structure. I wanted to let more light in, you know, so the inner branches could thrive too.
- Identified crowded areas
- Selected branches for removal
- Cut back to the main stem or a lateral branch
Then came the fun part – shaping the willows. I stepped back a few times to check the overall form. I trimmed back the longer, unruly branches, cutting just above an outward-facing bud. This way, the new growth would grow outwards, creating that nice, rounded shape.
I also paid attention to the height. I didn’t want the willows to get too tall, so I trimmed the top branches to maintain a manageable size. This is important because when they got too big they started to look out of place in the garden bed.
Maintenance
After I was done with the major pruning, I cleaned up all the branches and leaves. I always make sure to dispose of the debris properly, to prevent any diseases from spreading. You never know what kind of nastiness might be lurking in those leaves.
Pruning dappled willows might seem like a lot of work, but it’s really worth it. They look so much better now – healthier, fuller, and with that gorgeous color really popping. I’ll probably do this again next year, or maybe even twice, depending on how fast they grow. It’s all about keeping them in check and looking their best.
So, yeah, that’s my experience with pruning dappled willows. It’s not rocket science, but it does take a bit of time and effort. Trust me, the results are totally worth it. Your willows will thank you!
