Any tree guys?

My Willows need a trim. Is this time of year ok to do it?

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Where’s Pug? He’s a tree hugger.

Mature willow trees don’t need a lot of pruning. The tree will heal faster with fewer disease problems if you remove broken branches and those that rub against each other. If you shorten the branches, always cut just beyond a leaf bud or twig. Don’t allow branches to grow on the lower part of the tree. If you catch new growth soon enough, you can stop it by pinching it off or rubbing it with your fingers. Willow trees grow quickly, and this makes them susceptible to wind breakage. Maintaining a little space between branches allows good air circulation and reduces the amount of breakage.

Best off pruning them when they are dormant from what I’ve seen.

Not sure he can look sideways.

A media empire like this, you would think they could fix the photos so they don’t load sideways. BTW, I took the photos with my phone but didn’t turn it sideways so I don’t know what the he77 I’m doing wrong.

Crap………..maybe it’s because I posted a non-fishing question. I’m cursed.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand. Does anybody know if I will hurt the tree if I trim it tomorrow?

Dutchboy wrote:

Anyway, back to the subject at hand. Does anybody know if I will hurt the tree if I trim it tomorrow?

I just had a tree trimmed, not a willow, but what they told me is you can trim anytime but 1) there will be a lot more sap trimming right now and 2) it’s going to grow from where it was trimmed and those new growths might not be strong enough to survive the winter. So it’s best to trim while the tree is dormant but you aren’t going to kill it by trimming it now.

I would just cut the whole thing down so you don’t have to trim it anymore.

Thanks to whomever turned the photos.

Pat those Willows are in a low part of the yard that is always wet unless a drought year. Those trees are twice the size of my other trees even though they were planted 8 years later. I agree, they are a pain to trim and clean up after but shade is shade.

@DUTCHBOY I flipped them for ya. Although, tree’s that are horizontal seem to be easier to trim than trees that are vertical Happy to help. Thanks for posting!

Dutchboy wrote:

Pat those Willows are in a low part of the yard that is always wet unless a drought year. Those trees are twice the size of my other trees even though they were planted 8 years later. I agree, they are a pain to trim and clean up after but shade is shade.

I’m just giving you a hard time! Trim away!

Brian Klawitter wrote:

Where’s Pug? He’s a tree hugger.

I have my own tree problems. I think my loquat has fire blight. Sucks because it’s the bird feeder tree and helps hide the birds from the hawks prying eyes. The fruit is also delicious, but there isn’t a lot of flesh per fruit.

Copper treatment is coming this weekend and I hope it works.

Now back to the originally scheduled post.

Pat McSharry wrote:

I would just cut the whole thing down so you don’t have to trim it anymore.

I’ll second that! I was going to say “prune them even with the ground”.

It depends on how much you are cutting. I just trim the low hanging branches all thru the summer on my willows with no issues. If you are taking down major limbs then go by the rule “don’t prune in May and June”

With cooler temps on the way you are fine to do any pruning trimming you want now for most trees, but not fruit trees. I only trim them in February and March.

Dutchboy wrote:

My Willows need a trim. Is this time of year ok to do it?

Winter is always the best time to trim.. Like sticker said. You can trim small branches now or anytime. Anything bigger than 2 inches in diameter you might want to wait if you can. The tree still has a lot of sap in it right now and will be drawing it out soon not giving it a chance to heal over. Once the leaves are off and we have had frost it should be done sapping. From there it is a good time. The tree will heal itself in the spring. You should not have to treat/seal any cuts on a willow.. Large cuts on hardwoods like Oak, Elm, Ash… ect can be sealed to keep disease or bugs away till the area heals.