Well now, let’s talk about pruning pussy willow trees. I ain’t no fancy gardener, but I’ve been around these here trees long enough to know a thing or two.
First off, you gotta know when to do it. Don’t go snip-snappin’ any old time. Best time is when the tree’s sleepin’, you know, dormant. That’s usually late winter or early spring, ‘fore those little buds start poppin’ out. If you do it then, the tree won’t get all stressed out and will grow back nice and strong.
Now, there’s different ways to go about this prunin’. Some folks call it “coppice prunin’”. Sounds fancy, but it ain’t. It just means you cut it way back to make it grow more. I seen some folks cut ’em real hard, almost to the ground, every year. Them willows, they’re tough, they’ll come back. But, I tell you what, that don’t make ’em live forever. And sometimes, they look a bit… well, a bit funny growin’ back like that. All spindly and whatnot.
I like to keep it simple. Just take off the dead stuff, that’s the main thing. You know, any branches that look all dried up and crackly. And if any branches are touchin’ the ground, snip ‘em off too. They ain’t doin’ no good down there. Then, if the tree is gettin’ too big or lookin’ all messy, you can trim it up a bit. Just cut back the branches that are stickin’ out all over the place. Try to keep the tree lookin’ kinda roundish, you know, like a nice bush.
- Cut the dead wood: Get rid of anything that looks dead or diseased. That’s just common sense.
- Trim the low branches: Anything touchin’ the ground gotta go.
- Shape it up: Cut back the branches that are makin’ the tree look all wonky.
When you’re cuttin’, make sure you use somethin’ sharp. Dull tools just tear up the branches, and that ain’t good. I use them clippers, whatchamacallits, secateurs. And don’t go crazy cuttin’ everything off. Just take a little bit at a time. You can always cut more later, but you can’t stick it back on once it’s gone.
The first time you prune, maybe just cut back about a third of the branch. Then, the next year or two, you can cut back a little more, maybe half. That way, you ain’t shockin’ the tree too much.
Now, some folks get all worried about over-prunin’. And yeah, you can do too much, I guess. But these pussy willows, they’re pretty tough. They can handle a good cuttin’ back. Just don’t go crazy and cut the whole thing down to a stump, unless you really know what you’re doin’ and want it to regrow from the base.
Another thing, these here trees, they like water. A lot of water. So, if you’re plantin’ one, put it near some water, if you can. But not too close to your house, mind you, ‘cause the roots, they go everywhere. They’ll mess up your pipes and your sidewalk somethin’ awful. And they won’t do well in standing water all the time, but a good flood now and again don’t seem to hurt them none.
So, that’s pretty much all there is to it. Pruning pussy willow trees ain’t rocket science. Just use some common sense, and you’ll be fine. Keep ‘em trimmed up, give ‘em some water, and they’ll grow pretty as you please, with them fuzzy little buds in the springtime that everyone likes so much.
Remember, sharp tools, take it slow, and don’t be afraid to snip a little here and there. You’ll get the hang of it. And if you mess up, well, it’ll probably grow back. That’s the nice thing about these willows, they’re pretty forgiving.
And one last thing, if you see them little gray catkins, the pussies, in late winter, don’t go cuttin’ them off! That’s what you’re waitin’ for, ain’t it? Them’s the pretty part! Let ’em be, enjoy ’em, and prune after they’re done flowerin’.
Now get out there and get to prunin’! Your trees will thank you for it. Or maybe they won’t, I don’t know if trees can talk. But they’ll look nicer, that’s for sure.
