It’s a member of the trumpet vine family. A Desert Willow tree is a native plant of the Texas desert area. This tree will grow in arid conditions and provides a nice shade for landscaping or walkways if pruned properly. It looks like a willow with its long and thin leaves but is actually not the same species. Trimming a desert willow keeps the plant looking tidy and attractive. ... Do not prune a young tree to look like a mature tree. Pruning is not difficult, especially if you start while it is young. They are still dormant during this period. Once you cut back desert willows to your preferred shape, annual desert willow pruning keeps the trees looking good. It looks like a willow with its long and thin leaves but is actually not the same species. If you want a multi-branched shrub, start trimming a desert willow when it is young. In addition, pruning promotes growth and health in the tree. Willow trees bleed sap if you prune them while they are actively growing, so the best time for willow tree pruning is in winter while the tree is dormant. Be careful not to remove more than 20 percent of the canopy or you risk sun injury to the tree. Once you have established three or four branches, keep pruning out any extras that might try growing upwards from the base of the tree. Cut the main growing tip, allowing several strong leaders to form. Always remove dead growth back to the nearest healthy tissue. Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) is a native U.S. plant, growing in the American Southwest as well as Kansas and Oklahoma. 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She has focused more than 10 years of research on botanical and garden articles and was awarded a membership to the Society of Professional Journalists. Cut the main growing tip while the tree is small and allow several strong leaders to form if you want a multi-branched tree. For information about desert willow pruning, including tips on pruning desert willows, read on. Desert willow produces flowers that are extremely ornamental. The desert willow is not a willow, although it look like one with its long, thin leaves. A Desert Willow tree is a native plant of the Texas desert area. If you are wondering when to prune a desert willow, trimming a desert willow can begin in late winter or early spring. Never cut so close to the trunk that you injure the bark. You can choose to form it into a single trunked tree with a canopy at the top. Willows can take heavy pruning. Sign up for our newsletter. If you want to cut back desert willows, first decide the shape you are looking for. If you decide on a single-stemmed tree, select a main leader to become the trunk. Decide what kind of shape you want your desert willow to have. Another option is the multi-branched bush or shrub that has a canopy that reaches almost to the ground. This will keep good airflow in the tree as well as form stronger branches. They fill the tree in spring, but can keep appearing sporadically all year round. Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) is a native U.S. plant, growing in the American Southwest as well as Kansas and Oklahoma. All cuts should be at 45-degree angles and just before a bud. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Cut back other competing leaders, but retain side branches to fill in the canopy. Remove all the thin twiggy branches inside the tree to force the growth energy into the branches. You can create a tree with a single tree and a canopy at the top. Some people try but this willowy tree cannot be pruned to produce a round wide canopy. It grows well during the spring and summer time, being a desert tree to begin with, where the tree calls for special attention once it starts to take root. Once you choose the shape, every year you just have to clean it up to keep within your plan. Thin out the canopy to allow sunlight to penetrate to the inside branches. In fact, a good time to prune this deciduous tree is the end of February or you can cut back desert willows in March. Pruning willow trees properly while they are young and easier to prune means you probably won’t have to make major changes in the tree’s structure when it is older and more difficult to prune. Competing branches that sprout upwards towards the end of the growing tip should be removed. This will keep the tree healthier as well as better looking. Thin out the canopy to allow sunlight to penetrate to the inside branches. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →. The desert willow tree or Chilopsis linearis is no ordinary tree, and has pretty flowers that resemble bell flowers with its hollow, bell-like shape. Allow a main leader to grow and become the trunk of the tree for the single trunked look. All the leaves will be competing for the sunlight and they will tend to bunch up in their growth along the top of the tree. All Rights Reserved. Braley has studied at Pennsylvania State University and Villanova University. Remove all the thin twiggy branches inside the tree to force the growth energy into the branches. If left to itself, it … Some trees, such as a Willow Acacia, grow 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Pruning can keep these trees from getting leggy as they mature. Maryland resident Heide Braley is a professional writer who contributes to a variety of websites. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Once you have established three or four branches, keep pruning out any extras that might try growing upwards from the base of the tree. Keep the side branches to fill in the canopy. 10 Pruning Tips To Healthier, Prettier Desert Trees. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! A Desert Willow tree is a native plant of the Texas desert area. Remember when pruning these trees that even if you prune too much and feel like your tree is barren, the tree will quickly fill in due to the fast growth rate. You can choose to form it into a single trunked tree with a canopy at the top. If left to itself, it will tend to look scraggly with dropping branches and clumps of leaves. This tree will grow in arid conditions and provides a nice shade for landscaping or walkways if pruned properly. About Desert Willow Pruning. As the tree grows taller, remove the lower branches from the trunk. 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