The plants can be pruned any time of year. If you prune in late summer or early fall, it's possible that tender new growth may be damaged by winter cold. Because of that chance, it's best to prune a willow during late winter, when it's still dormant, or in very early spring, when it's poised to begin new growth.

When should you cut back a Salix Flamingo tree?

Early spring, at the beginning of March, is the best time to prune. Assuming you plant the shrub in autumn, don't prune in the following spring, wait until the spring after that (roughly 18 months after planting) to allow it to establish a good root and branch system.

How do you prune a Salix tree?

Prune off the lower branches to create the trunk of the salix tree during the dormant period of winter. Hold the pruning shears, with the blade on top, as close to the main trunk as possible. Make the pruning cut so there is no stub or knob remaining which might resprout.