How to Trim Pussy Willow Trees

This tree is popular for it's soft, grayish, fur-like buds on long, straight stems. They're mistakenly referred to as a bush, but they are a tree are wind-pollinated. The Pussy Willow's distinctively pretty furry buds are actually future leaves.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pussy Willow Tree
• Trim Shears

How to Trim Pussy Willow Trees

1. Monitor your tree's growth. Pussy Willow buds begin to open very early in the spring.

2. Be diligent. Pussy willows are a soft wooded tree that grows rapidly.

3. Cut pussy willow branches 10 to 12 inches long when the catkins or pussy willows are just beginning to emerge.

4. Keep Pussy Willow Trees rigorously pruned to the desired height. If you let it get away from you, you will find a twenty to thirty foot tree in only a few years.

5. Get ready to trim a tree that's out of hand -- cut the trunk off at a couple of feet above the ground. Observe that new shoots will soon emerge.

6. Force blooms in winter. Go to the Pussy Willow Tree and cut off a few stems. Bring stems indoor and place in water.

7. Buds will spring in a couple of weeks. When the buds reach the desired size, remove the stems from water.

8. When the buds reach the desired size, remove the stems from water.

Tips & Warnings

• Pussy Willows are easily rooted. Place a young stem 12 to 18 inches long in water for only a couple of weeks, and the roots will grow enough to transplant. Transplant anywhere in your yard. They prefer lower land with lots of moisture to help to fuel their quick growth. Soil can be fair to poor.
• Pussy willow branches dry nicely and last a long time if you take them out of water when the catkins are small and tight. If you keep them in water, the catkins will mature, produce pollen and fall off.
• You can pretty much stick a fresh twig in the ground and it will grow.