Grey willow: when and how to prune

Grey willow: when to prune it?

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After flowering (April–May), so that bees can make use of the catkins.

What else to prune in those months? April · May

Grey willow: how to prune it?

1. Tolerates hard pruning: you can cut it back low down every few years.
2. In a hedge or hedgerow, don’t cut the whole shrub back at once: do part of it each time, so there is always some cover.
3. In between, remove dead and broken branches.

How much to cut, and how often?

• One pruning period a year: April–May.
• Can be cut back to just above the ground every few years and will then regrow.
• Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.

What does it mean for wildlife?

• Pruning in April–May can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
• As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
• Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.

Common mistakes

• Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
• Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.

Nearby: related pruning guides

• Eared willow
• Almond willow
• Goat willow
• Osier
• Purple willow
• Bay willow

Similar to: Difference from goat willow · Difference from eared willow

Plant profile: Grey willow · Pruning calendar and basic rules