Winterizing My Japanese Willow? How Much (and When) Should I Cut It Back For The Winter?

Question

I read your overview on how to cut back a Japanese Willow Tree, but is there anything I should do to my tree for either Trim purposes or fertilizing that I should be doing now in October? I am in Zone 6A. We won’t get a hard frost until November. Should I wait until the hard frost to trim it way back? Thanks!!!

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Answer 1

Wait until late winter to prune. Then, if needed, you can prune again in midsummer. Usually pruning isn't done in the fall because the stems won't have time to harden off before winter. By the same token, it isn't recommended to fertilize in fall and promote new growth that could be killed in winter.

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