How to Trim Weeping Willow Trees: A Simple Guide

Overview

Weeping willows (Salix spp.) have long, drooping branches with fine-textured leaves. They grow fast, reaching 35–45 ft tall and wide in a few years. Their natural arching form needs little trimming, but limbs blocking walkways or driveways should be shortened, and diseased or damaged limbs removed for tree health.

Step 1: Timing and Tools

Trim in late spring to early summer to minimize sap flow. Use hand pruners for limbs up to ½ inch; lopping shears for larger. Cut at a 30° angle at a bud or joint.

Step 2: Shorten Low Limbs

Cut back limbs touching the ground or interfering with paths/driveways.

Step 3: Remove Problem Limbs

Remove crossing, rubbing, damaged, diseased, or dead limbs. Signs of disease: bark cracks, oozing lesions, cankers, dying foliage.

Step 4: Manage Grafted Trees

On grafted trees, prune upward-growing limbs. Do not prune upward growth on non-grafted trees.

Step 5: Clean the Trunk

Pinch or rub off lateral growth on the trunk. Use hand pruners to remove suckers from the base.