When is the right time to prune willow trees?

Willow pruning

Pruning willow trees can reduce nutrient consumption, balance tree vigor, regulate water content, make them grow strong, and have a neat and beautiful shape. In addition, timely pruning of diseased and insect-infested branches, withered branches, inner branches, bowed branches, crossed branches, and overlapping branches can facilitate ventilation, light transmission, and reduce damage from diseases and insects. In addition, it can also resolve the contradiction between tree growth and overhead lines and traffic.

Willow Tree Pruning Time

Willows have vigorous growth and are easy to manage. They can be pruned after the leaves fall in autumn, generally once a year. Its branches can be propagated after being cut. The time for pruning and propagation is in spring and autumn. Try to choose the time in spring when the willows have not yet sprouted.

Willow pruning method

1. Pruning of one-year-old seedlings

   If the height of one-year-old seedlings is less than 1 meter or the tree shape is not good, they should be pruned back in the early spring of the following year, leaving about 10 cm, retaining one strong main branch, and removing all other side branches. When the one-year-old seedlings grow to 2-3 meters, not all side branches can be removed. Mainly prune diseased branches or shorten side branches to balance the nutrient supply, increase side branches, and make the stems long and straight.

2. Pruning of biennial seedlings

   For two-year-old seedlings, the lower side branches can be pruned off and the upper side branches can be shortened. This will allow more side branches to sprout, making the plant lush and leafy, improving its overall ornamental value.

Willow Tree Pruning Tips

The method, time and frequency of pruning have a great impact on the quality, yield rate and seedling survival rate of willow seedlings. Without pruning, the ornamental value is low and the yield rate is extremely low. Infrequent pruning has little effect on the survival of seedlings. If pruning is too frequent, the trees will have lush branches and leaves, many branches, large crowns, and bent and drooping heads, which will also affect the yield of seedlings and low the rate of transplanting.