Pussy willow

Question

I live in Northern Indiana and just noticed that my pussy willow is starting to bud already! It’s January! I love having cuttings in my house and look forward to the buds every year. I am concerned that if I cut them now that the cold will harm the bush. Usually, they bud late February to early March. I hate to miss out on new cuttings, but I don’t want to harm the bush. Can I cut them now?

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Answer 1

It is ideal to prune pussy willows in late winter or early spring, but pussy willows are very tough plants, so pruning them now is unlikely to damage them. It should be fine to cut your buds now.