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Q.We Have A Goat Willow Growing 20 Feet From The Side Of Our Cottage,it Is Now About 20 Ft High.

Zone IP12 2PH | Anonymous added on February 18, 2023 | Answered

Every other year we reduce the height and width by 3 to 5 feet. While I was away my husband had tree surgeons reduce the tree by at least 15 feet,now it is just an ugly collection of stump like branches. Please can you tell me if you think the tree will recover and how long it will take. I loved that tree !

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GKH_Susan
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Answered on February 20, 2023

Is your tree a Salix caprea 'Kilmarnock'? That is usually what goat willow refers to. Hopefully your tree was not grafted, because according to the info below, the graft could be at 6 feet. If your tree was grafted and cut below the graft, the new growth won't look like the old tree. Since your tree was so tall, I'm not sure exactly what you have because the goat willow or weeping pussy willow only grows to about 8 feet. Most willows are quick growing so yours should grow back. Blooming may be affected, though.

If it's a Japanese willow or dappled willow, those are shrub-like and can quickly get out of hand. Those can be pruned back hard and it won't hurt them. They regrow quickly.

https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/salix-caprea-kilmarnock

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/pussy-willow/growing-pussy-willows.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/willow/pruning-a-dappled-willow.htm

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