Willows not only occur as sprawling deciduous trees in nature, but also make good ornamental shrubs in the garden. For example, the Japanese willow from Asia. In contrast to free-standing trees, these varieties offer the gardener the opportunity to create a special aesthetic appearance of the crown through skilful topiary cuts. You can read about how and when to best cut your Japanese willow on this page.
When and how should you cut a Japanese willow?
To properly prune a Japanese willow, spring is the ideal time. Regular pruning promotes a lush crown. If necessary, a radical cut can be made. Remove tight branches, stubs and new growth on the trunk for optimal growth.
The right time
Basically, spring is the ideal time to cut a willow. It's best to wait for the last night frosts. If you use the scissors at this time of year, the tree will quickly recover from its injuries. To ensure that the crown does not branch out too much, regular pruning is necessary. The additional topiary, however, is voluntary.
Pruning for lush greenery
If you want your Japanese willow to have a particularly lush crown, we recommend cutting it (once or even several times) even in summer. Since the deciduous tree constantly forms new shoots in the warm season, the crown thickens.
When is a radical cut worth it?
If you have missed a pruning appointment or if your Japanese willow is growing unusually quickly so that it loses its shape, you should work harder on the branches.
The cutting technique
- cut your Japanese willow regularly, otherwise it will be difficult to maintain the shape
- don't leave any stubs at the base, otherwise you'll soon no longer be able to get rid of the branches with conventional secateurs (€14.00 on Amazon)
- remove branches that are too close together
- break away the new shoots on the trunk as soon as they appear, they cost the tree unnecessary energy
Tip
The cut branches are too good to throw away. Use the leftover clippings to propagate your Japanese willow. Simply place the branches in a water vase. After just a few days, new roots form.
