When to prune weeping willow?

[Tomhjnr]

Hi all,

i quoted a job at the beginning of winter for a 30% reduction of a large-ish willow tree. The customer has only just got back to me accepting the price. I feel that it is too late into the sap rising to go ahead with the reduction this season. Would it bleed if to be cut now? Is it best to leave it until the next dormant period in winter or do it in late spring/summer?

 

Your thoughts and opinions please.

Tom.

[Mozza]

Id do it now, Did 3 weeping willows last week mate, No bother

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Id do it now, Did 3 weeping willows last week mate, No bother

 

Ditto to Mozza, just avoid dry heat and it should be fine.

[Ian C]

I would do it aswell, It's a willow for a start, cant kill the buggers even when ya try, and 30% on a willow is not really that hard anyway. fire the 200 up sonny!

[redmoosefaction]

Do it, do it,do it.....It's only a willow.. butcher it, it will look all the same in 4 weeks anyway.

[Tomhjnr]

Ta for the replys guys... only other thing is,, is that im totally stacked out with work and i wont be able to get on it till next week, or even the week after next!! Hmmm, think i will nip out there and see if and how the buds are swelling.

 

Any ideas when she might bust her buds? I cant remember for the life of me when willows come into leaf... Im in Leicester by the way.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

A willow on a 30% reduction will be fine, dont worry, it WILL be fine, now later just avoid the summer dry heat

[Mozza]

It doesnt matter when it comes into leaf, It WILL be fine to prune in the next 2 or 3 weeks when you are thinking of doing it

[Ben90]

Just do it and if the client asks why it's bleeding, tell them that's why it's called a weeping willow.

[Ian C]

Just do it and if the client asks why it's bleeding, tell them that's why it's called a weeping willow.