what now? (eared willow?)

jeffcapeshop

Hi,

i posted a couple of months ago about an unknown tree (my first..) - now it has developed a bit more, i reckon it's an Eared Willow, Salix aurita (compare this (from google search) with my tree (any opinions?))

It seems to be doing well, looks quite healthy - i have left it in the soil (unknown but the tree came from Skye (Scotland) so i think it must be quite peaty) it came in so far.

There is quite a lot of new growth, growing very straight - my main question is what to do next? should these be left alone? my main concern is keeping it alive (though it seems to be doing alright!) so i don't want to do anythign to stress it out too much, but at the same time i don't want to miss opertunities when i should be altering it..

i don't plan to be too adventurous with this tree, it is my first after all! but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have attached front, "back" top and detail images

thanks!

jeff

Attached Images

	front1.jpg (57.7 KB, 34 views)
	front2.jpg (54.0 KB, 23 views)
	top.jpg (67.6 KB, 26 views)
	detail.jpg (56.1 KB, 21 views)

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jeffcapeshop

no-one?

i basically want to know if pruning should be done while it's still soft or after leaves have fallen off, or wait til spring etc..

Alasdair

I have what i believe is an eared willow. I pinch out the tips on mine when they are young and soft as is needes. If you need to prune back onto hard wood cut just below a bud and seal the wound well a they will die back to at least the next bud down the branch. Branch pruning in very late winter/early spring is best as the sap is starting to flow and there will be less die back than if done in the autumn.

Al

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I can feel another "I wish that was my tree" moment coming on...
Currently studying BSc Plant Biology at the Universty of Wales, Aberystwyth