DLG

You guys are awesome! Now to see if I can stomach the cost of cutting that much tree down. I've asked for off the cuff quotes for cutting the tree down a few times and have gotten anything from 6k to 18k (canadian).

Theoretical question, would the tree most likely die if it was cut back to the fork? And if it didn't die, would the subsequent growth be controllable so that I could keep the tree at 20-30 feet tall?

Hahaha, pretty sure that's what the previous owner did to the tree in the past at some point. I had misread some of the previous responses to mean cutting it right down to where it forks . I assume we are not talking that aggressive of a cut? This previous image from this thread popped in my head :

Is the "inclusion" the line where the forked trunks meet? Would this tree be considered to be on the large side for a willow? Rough guesses are about 80-100 feet tall, 70 feet wide. Does radical mean cutting it all the way down to the fork in the trunk?

I believe they did selective limb reduction in the past (probably the reason why the tree continues to grow larger). Here are a few more pictures of the tree.

Sorry for reviving such an old thread. It sounds like there are a number of willow experts on this forum. I have a question from Canada. I have a large willow in my backyard that is growing very large. I bought the house because I loved the tree and I've had local companies come and prune it every two years. Despite that, the tree has continued to increase in size. From what I've heard, the tree was topped many years ago. It is around 14 feet in circumference at the base and forks into two trunks at around 10-13 feet. The tree is from the 1950s (from previous owners) and is one of the sole survivors from before the subdivision in the back went up. I'm curious to see what type of recommendations can be made to bring this tree to a more manageable size (I don't want to cut it down). Would pollarding be an option? I'd like to keep the majesty if possible, but make it safer for the houses behind me, as well as anyone standing underneath it. I will of course also get advice from the arborists in my area, but interested to hear of any suggestions on this forum. I can provide more pictures if needed. Thanks!