Q.Thirty year old pussywillow tree is in bad shape. Splitting tree trunks, dead branches. Split after a storm and I tried saving it
by cutting it back but it’s splitting again. The pruning did it good a lot of it is still healthy but has become extremely unsig htly. Had an arborist in and gave me prices for both pruning and removing. I think it would be better for it to go but it makes me extremely sad. It’s a living thing after all and brings a lot of wildlife to my yard for it’s food. I am very undecided. Thou ghts?
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
It will be very best to start from a seed from the tree. This will be a new generation with fresh genetics with similar, although possibly not the same, features.
This will take a very long time, however.
The preferred method will be to take tip cuttings of the tree. They will be exact replicas of your existing tree. This will grow up to form, very similarly, to the existing tree.
Remove the old, and broken tree completely, and start the copy when it is mature enough to transplant.
This article will help you to take cuttings: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/how-to-root-cuttings-from-various-shrubs-bushes-and-trees.htm
This article will help you with the care of the tree: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/pussy-willow/growing-pussy-willows.htm
