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'Flamingo Willow' to prune or not to prune.

KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
in Problem solving
I normally prune mine back hard in early March to maintain the lollipop head and keep the size down.  I'm having hip replacement surgery this weekend so I'm not going to be able to prune at the normal time.  The question is, should I do it this week, and risk potential frost damage, or leave it probably until the end of March when new growth could be well under way?  It will definitely have to be done at some point.

Posts

  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    Well.. a friend of mine had hip replacements recently, and he was up and about really quickly getting mobile and working the muscles, so you might well be able to do it a couple of weeks later than normal, or even in stages? 
    Maybe someone could do it for you as normal - even with supervision?
  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,089
    Many years ago my mother had a hip replacement. She was home after 3 days. On the 4th day, i popped over to see how she was doing.
    I found her on top of the garden shed that is against the house wall washing the up stairs windows. Just saying you might be more mobile than you think, but must admit my mum is old school that just got on with things.  :D
    Sunny Dundee
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I'd be inclined to leave it, even if you prune a bit later than usual. 
    No personal experience of hip replacement (yet), but based on the experience of a friend l think it might not take as long as you think to recover. 
    If all else fails, can you supervise closely whilst someone else wields the secateurs? 
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    In any case Willows should be pruned after the normal time for the catkins to have finished.
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    Palustris said:
    In any case Willows should be pruned after the normal time for the catkins to have finished.

    It doesn't form catkins.  It's purely ornamental, for the colour of the new foliage.  On balance, pardon the pun, I think I'll wait.  Even if I have to do it a bit at a time I will hopefully be OK.  I certainly won't be climbing on shed roofs on day 4. :)  I want to be mobile as quickly as possible, but not that mobile that soon.
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