We have pruned the tree by 3 to 5 feet every other year, while I was away my husband had tree surgeons reduce the overall size of the tree by at least 15 feet. Now it it is a collection of ugly stumps. Please can you tell me if the tree will ever recover and how long this could take , I loved that tree ! Many thanks
It should, only, take a year or two to regain its shape. In fact, it will probably have a better shape once it recovers.
Being a type of pussy willow, they tolerate heavy pruning with no problem.
Here are some article that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/pussy-willow/how-prune-pussy-willows.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/pussy-willow/growing-pussy-willows.htm
Last autumn we planted some willow whips in a damp area. They were given to us through Mersey Forest scheme and are about five feet in height. Most are showing good growth. A few are showing no signs of life. Three of them are developing a few leaves right down at the base but above that the whip looks dead. My question is, should I cut back the whips to give the growth more chance?
I would, only, cut dead growth. Any pruning to living growth will need to be done during dormancy. Here are some articles that will help you to care for these trees:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/willow/grow-a-willow-tree.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/willow/how-to-prune-willow-trees.htm
My twin flamingo willows were beautiful but are now fading and edges of leaves starting to brown. What is wrong? What should I do? love them very much
Browning on edges of leaves is often due to improper watering. These articles should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/willow/dappled-willow-problems.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/willow/dappled-japanese-willow.htm
need to get the tree out again to remove the terracotta? The salix was moved to a bigger pot one day ago, will the roots push through the ots of broken terracotta?
Likely, it won't hurt anything either way. It would be similar to if the tree roots were to encounter a rock in nature.
It has very long stems I don't know what to do
Is it a dappled willow shrub rather than a tree? Let it continue to grow, you may need to prune it back some. Watch the pot size, it may need repotting if you are not planting it in the ground. Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/willow/pruning-a-dappled-willow.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/willow/dappled-japanese-willow.htm
Is it normal for them to grow that high I live in Mass and I figured the snow might damage the weak branches Should I cut everything back in the spring again to the stumps or cut them back half way to have the bush fill out and the branches to becme stronger
This should be done in winter, during dormancy, to prevent any infection. I would select a single leader, as well. This can help the tree from overfilling and becoming an issue for itself. Here are a couple of articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/willow/weeping-willow-pruning.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/willow/how-to-prune-willow-trees.htm
Salix integra Hakuro Nishiki, has a large branch coming out of it with completely different leaves and much larger than the rest of the plant. What do I need to do?
This sounds like a branch growing from below the graft union. This is a totally different Salix that has better capacity for root growth with a graft of the Salix of your choice at the top.
Keeping these cut away will reduce the toll that they will take on the rest of your tree. Eventually, they will stop. This issue is best prevented, however.
Here is an article that will help: