Dark-leaved willow: when and how to prune

Dark-leaved willow: when to prune it?

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Thin out or coppice in February–March, before the leaves come out and before birds start nesting.

What else to prune in those months? February · March

Dark-leaved willow: how to prune it?

1. Every few years, remove a few of the oldest branches at the base: this keeps the shrub young and dense.
2. Cut out dead, broken and crossing branches.
3. To keep it low, coppice it completely to 30–50 cm every 3–5 years; if you have several shrubs, do not cut them all in the same year.
4. Prune only some of the branches each year, so you have catkins for the bees every spring.

How much to cut, and how often?

• One pruning period a year: February–March.
• Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.

What does it mean for wildlife?

• Pruning in March can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
• 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

• Almond willow
• Osier
• Pollard willow
• Purple willow
• Bay willow
• Crack willow

Plant profile: Dark-leaved willow · Pruning calendar and basic rules