A hanging catkin willow also produces countless fluffy flowers in spring. But the viewer is particularly impressed by the shape of its crown. But this is not given to her by nature. So your owner has to work diligently, with scissors of course.
How do I cut a hanging pussy willow correctly?
When cutting a hanging pussy willow, dead branches should be completely removed and vital shoots should be cut back to 2 to 4 leaves or buds. This pruning should be done annually after flowering in March or April to maintain a beautiful crown shape.
There is no beautiful crown without cutting
The sprouting point of the hanging pussy willow is at the upper end of the trunk and is limited in space. New branches sprout from it every year. Since the tree cannot grow in height, the following scenario arises: the new branches lay layer by layer over the old ones and thus take away light. As a result, the inside of the crown becomes increasingly bare and branches die off completely. Unpruned branches also branch out and push close together towards the ground.
Time for a grooming cut
The hanging shape of the crown is created by the tree itself. The purpose of a cut is to create space for new branches. There is no need for this in the first four years of life. The kitten should be able to develop undisturbed. Only then should you use scissors every year.
In order to be able to fully admire the second attribute of the hanging catkin willow, the fluffy catkin flowers, you should wait until after flowering before cutting. The flowering period is in March and April. Act immediately afterwards.
Instructions for a strong cut
You don't have to be a master in this field to cut the hanging kitten. Vital and dead branches can be clearly distinguished during the growing season.
- completely remove all dead branches (on Astring)
- cut back vital shoots to 2 to 4 leaves or buds
- Place the scissors as close as possible to the pair of leaves or buds
The kitten tolerates pruning; after this vigorous pruning, it will grow out just as vigorously and, above all, quickly. It doesn't take long and it has regained its beautiful crown shape with hanging shoots up to 50 cm long.
Tip
When cutting a hanging catkinse willow, use secateurs (€9.00 on Amazon) with a bypass system, as they enable precise work.
A reserved cut is also possible
The branches of this catkin gain about 50 cm in length per year. For specimens with a tall trunk, this allows for a certain amount of leeway when cutting. Even if you don't want to radically prune your tree, you can proceed as follows:
- remove dead branches
- shorten vital branches to the desired length
- If necessary, thin out the inside of the crown
Note:Since this plant is grafted, new hanging willows cannot be propagated from the cut branches, unlike other willows.
Stop wild growth
The hanging kitten can only be created in its growth style through targeted refinement. A vital wild trunk is combined with a picturesque crown. The wild substrate, however, strives to sprout vigorously itself. These wild shoots grow at a rapid pace and disrupt the overall picture as they strive upwards. They also compete with the hanging shoots for light.
- don’t wait long before removing it
- Cut off wild shoots on the trunk close to the bark
- Tear out wild shoots at the root base with a strong tug
Tip
The Hanging Pussy Willow trunk will no longer grow in height after grafting. You should therefore choose the desired size when planting.
