Willow struggling for light?

[Peter 1955]

A customer has a willow which looks almost dead from some angles, and definitely has some dead branches. It’s shaded/ crowded by an oak and a fir at the side which is struggling. Customer is loath to let me trim the other trees. It looks superb at the side where it’s heading for the light. Pruning looks tricky, as all the life appears to be near the ends of dead looking branches. All suggestions appreciated, thanks.

[Stere]

Quote

All suggestions appreciated, thanks.

 

Just do nothing to it?

 

 

[Peter 1955]

24 minutes ago, Stere said:

 

Just do nothing to it?

 

 

Undoubtedly an option. At the very least, it's down for removal of the obviously dead wood. I'm sure customer thinks that with some judicious pruning, I can transform it into a vibrant thing of beauty. 😉

[Dan Maynard]

Fighting nature is hard work and pointless imo. Knock out the major deadwood if they want, it won't help or hinder the tree. Then let the tree crowns balance according to the light available, you can't make branches appear where it's shaded.

 

If they want the willow to grow evenly the only way is to fell the other trees.

[richyrich]

Your title sums it up- willow is not shade tolerant.