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Do I need to prune my tree??

Do I need to prune my tree??

Comment from Shoot User
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I just gotten & planted what to all intents & purposes appears to be a form of 4ft dwarf willow, more than likely a Kilmarnock, but as it has many, many shoots flowing down from the top (the top graft looks particularly hefty and well taken judging by the examples of newer ones in B&Q), do I need to prune back some to allow other new ones to grow or existing ones to flourish more? If so, how do I tell exactly which ones to chop and how many?

Also, at about one foot square, the rootball seemed particularly small considering the huge spread on top. The owner said she'd been told the previous house owners had only planted a year ago but had a good spread of foliage last summer. I know Kilmarnocks don't traditionally have a 'normal' vast root system as they are grafted, but is there anything I should be concerned by?


Many thanks,
Matt

(I will try to get a picture up when it's daylight.)
Posted: Thursday 28th of February 2013 07:50 PM

  • Re: Do I need to prune my tree??

    Angie Robertson
    Is it possible for you to put on a picture?

    Generally, any shoots coming from below the graft will be from the root stock and should be removed.

    The only time I would consider pruning my Kilmarnock Willow would be if/when the growth gets really untidy and reaches across the ground. Salix are very thirsty plants and will need watering in well for the first year. Roots are usually very near the surface. If you are able can you put in some sort of support which will help with wind rock until it become established.
    I moved one last year - in full leaf that had been in the ground for just 2 years - I was religious about watering and it has recovered and is now just putting out it's catkins.
    Replied: Monday 4th of March 2013 05:04 PM

    • Re: Re: Do I need to prune my tree??

      Shoot User
      Apologies for not posting a pic, my phone camera wasn't much good. Anyway, I took some advice on pruning from my local nursery in that they said cut away any branches that are really dark or almost grey (dead looking, in other words), basically aren't a deep mahogany, so pretty much the same as a lot of plants, and I'm pleased to say that even after such a short time it's gone nuts and started sprouting leaves and buds all over the place. :0)

      Thought I'd be expecting a year of nothing before some life, but it's all turned out well.
      Replied: Monday 22nd of April 2013 09:49 PM
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