Q.Pussy willow
Looks like it’s dying! All brown hard wood except at the base some new growth. Should I move it or cut it way back? It’s 3′-4′ tall, planted fall of 2015.
Do the bark scratch test on your plant.
If you see green, that portion is still alive.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/tree-scratch-test.htm
I would trim away any material that is dead. If it snaps off and breaks, it is dead. If any branches bend, leaves those.
I also had a newly planted Willow die off all the way to about 6 inches from the soil surface. Know how hard Willow is, I cut it all back to green bark and waited it out. It has slowly began to grow and leaf out. Give yours some time!
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/willow/grow-a-willow-tree.htm
