How and when to Pollard a Willow Tree

Willow trees are full of life and energy, growing with a wild, untamed beauty that can quickly take over if left unchecked. Pollarding is an age-old pruning technique that helps keep them in balance—controlling their size, encouraging fresh, healthy growth, and maintaining their striking winter silhouette. Done right, it’s a simple but transformative process that keeps your willow looking its best for years to come.

As a specialist tree nursery, pollarding is something we undertake on some of our own trees that grow in and around our nursery and arboretum. If you’ve been wondering how and when to pollard your willow tree, follow along with Philip as he explains and demonstrates in this short video:

What is Pollarding?

Pollarding is a pruning method that involves cutting back a tree’s branches to a framework of knuckles (or stubs) at a set height. This encourages the tree to produce new, vigorous shoots each year while keeping its overall size in check. Over time, these knuckles become an architectural feature in their own right, adding character to the tree.

Willows respond particularly well to pollarding, producing long, flexible shoots that can be used for weaving, wildlife habitats, or simply left to sway gracefully in the breeze.

When to Pollard a Willow Tree

You can pollard a tree any time during its dormant season—between late autumn and early spring (November to March). But we believe the end of winter / beginning of spring (late March – early April) is the best time. As you have been able to enjoy the beautiful bare colourful stems during the winter.

Avoid pollarding when the tree has coming into leaf during Spring and Summer, as heavy pruning during the growing season can stress the tree and make it more vulnerable to disease.

Step-by-Step Guide to Pollarding Your Willow

1. Choose the Right Tools

Firstly please consiuder safety first. If your tree is large and you will be working at height, please use a sturdy ladder and consider asking someone to hold it stable whilst you work. Please also consider whether you need anything else to keep you safe, such as googles and gloves.

For the actual pollarding work, you’ll need:

Sharp secateurs for thinner stems
A pruning saw for thicker stems

2. Identify the Pollarding Point

If the tree has been pollarded before, you’ll see a framework of knuckles where previous cuts were made. These are your natural cutting points.

If you’re pollarding for the first time, choose a height between 1.5m and 3m (5-10 feet), depending on how tall you want the tree to grow. This will form the base for future regrowth.

3. Make Clean Cuts

Using your pruning saw or secateurs, cut back all new growth to just above the pollarding knuckles (or your chosen height if pollarding for the first time). Always cut just above a bud or shoot point to encourage healthy regrowth.

4. Work Evenly Around the Tree

Step back occasionally to check the shape. The goal is a balanced framework that will produce a full, even canopy of fresh growth in spring.

5. Clear Away Cuttings

Willow branches are lightweight and flexible, making them perfect for weaving, composting, or using as wildlife habitats. Alternatively, they can be shredded and used as mulch.

Aftercare & Future Pollarding

Your willow will soon respond with vigorous new growth in spring. If left alone, these shoots will grow long and arching. To maintain the pollard structure, repeat this process every 1–3 years, depending on how much growth you’d like to manage.

Pollarding is a simple but essential part of caring for a willow tree, ensuring it remains healthy, well-formed, and full of life year after year.

About New Wood Trees

We are an artisan tree nursery specialising in field grown multi-stem trees and shrubs. We grow approximately 13,000 trees in the beautiful rolling fields of South Devon and have over 100 varieties for you to choose from.

All our trees are grown in here for at least five years, during which time they are lovingly hand pruned to create a beautifully sculpted distinctive shape and structure. They are all hugely individual and full of character due to their environment and our care. We warmly encourage you to visit our nursery in person.

To immerse yourself and experience the trees in a way that you simply can’t from websites and photographs. You’ll be able to choose your preferred trees, understand their individual character, and tag them in person. Leaving with peace of mind that you will receive exactly what is needed to suit your design. Visits are by appointment only. Please contact us to arrange your nursery tour.

For more information about our nursery and how we grow our artisan, sculpted, multi-stem trees please head to our about us page.

To learn more about our trees and what stock we currently have available, please head to our stock pages or Contact Us to discuss your specific needs.