Prune pussy willow after the catkins fade. Prune dappled willow and landscape trees in late winter before new growth.
Prune after the catkins fade, or in late winter for other willows
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Pussy willow | Right after the catkins fade, in late winter or early spring | A late cut that removes next year's catkin wood |
| Dappled shrub | Late winter to early spring, before leaf-out | Leaving the shrub uncut until the foliage goes all green |
| Landscape tree | Late winter, before new leaves | Topping the crown to hold height |
| Cuts | Remove dead and crossing wood; hard-prune shrubs that take it | Shearing a weeping tree into a ball |
pussy willow blooms on last year's wood. Wait until the catkins fade, then cut. [1] dappled willow wants a late-winter cut so new shoots carry pink and cream leaves. [2] Golden weeping trees are pruned in late winter into early spring. [3] American pussy willow can take a hard cut after flowering. The catkins are also good cut stems for a vase. [4]
When should I prune pussy willow?
Right after the catkins fade. If you wait until summer, you cut off the wood that would carry next year's catkins.
When should I prune dappled willow?
Late winter to early spring, before new leaves. A yearly hard prune keeps the pink and cream on new wood.
How to prune willow
Cut for the kind you hold. Shrubs take a hard framework. Landscape trees need broken wood out, not a topiary.
- Confirm pussy willow, dappled shrub, or landscape tree on the tag so the window matches the wood.
- If you want stems for a vase, cut them as the catkins swell in late winter, then prune the rest after they fade.
- On pussy willow, wait until catkins fade. Remove dead wood. Cut about one-third of the oldest stems to the ground. Shorten the rest to vigorous outward growth.
- On dappled willow, in late winter, cut last year's stems back hard, almost to a low framework, so new shoots color.
- On a landscape weeping tree, take out dead, crossing, and storm-broken wood. Do not top the leader to hold height. If you need a stem for a cutting, that job is on How to Propagate Willow.
Dappled shrub versus a landscape weeping tree
A dappled shrub is a 4- to 10-foot plant you renew with a hard late-winter cut. A landscape weeping tree is 30 to 75 feet of weak wood. Take out what broke. Do not try to keep it at shrub height with a topping cut.
If catkins are still tight, wait. Cut after they fade, or wait until late winter on other kinds.
FAQ
Will a hard cut kill pussy willow?
No. These shrubs take a hard prune. Cut after catkins fade so next year's stems still bloom.
Can I top a weeping willow to hold height?
Do not top it. Remove broken wood. If the tree is too large for the lot, it was the wrong kind, not a topping job.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Ask Extension -
https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=739937 - [2] NC State Extension Gardener -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/salix-integra-hakuro-nishiki/ - [3] NC State Extension Gardener -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/salix-alba-tristis/ - [4] NC State Extension Gardener -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/salix-discolor/
This note is part of Salix Guides.
More pruning timing notes by plant live in Pruning Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors