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Why Your Pussy Willow Isn't Producing Catkins

Pussy willows are dioecious—male and female flowers are on separate plants. The showy catkins appear on male plants. If your 8-foot tree has never produced catkins, consider:

Pruning time: Prune only while catkins are visible (late winter/early spring). Summer/fall pruning removes next year's flowering wood.
Light: They tolerate some shade but need sufficient sun to flower.
Moisture: They thrive in moist soil near waterways.
Sex: You may have a female plant (less showy catkins) or a misidentified species.

Check the plant's history and adjust care accordingly. Proper pruning timing is often the key.

Seeding and Propagation: Plum Tree Jelly Exudate: Borer Activity and Organic Needle Treatment; Diagnosing Bark Peeling and Leaf Loss in Birch Trees; Slow-Growing Tree with Burnt Leaves in Texas Hill Country; Palm Tree with Curling Leaves and Crown Rot: Freeze Damage Likely Fatal—Monitor for Pests, Consider Removal; Outdoor Ficus benjamina Leaf Drop, White Powder on Bark: Root/Soil Stress, Likely Scale or Woolly Aphids—Nursery ID Needed; Pussywillow Base Rot: Overwatering and Atomic Grow; Mystery Fruit Tree: Pear or Wild Seedling?; Growing Quince from Seed: Propagation Tips and Grafting Insights; Fig Tree Pollination: The Wasp Question and Better Alternatives; Sources for Tree Seeds: Reputable Suppliers

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