Cut and Shut Tree?

We have unearthed this tree from behind some out of control hebes(?) and broom and have no idea what it is or how to care for it. I'm even more confused as the branches/leaves growing from the base of the trunk are nothing like the branches/leaves growing at the top.

Can someone ID it please and offer some advice on what to do with the bottom branches. (the sand in the pic is covering the soil as we are paving the area, so this will form one of two beds in the garden) as well as any tips on caring for it.

Its about 6ft high and has grown maybe 2ft in 10 years.

Thanks in advance

H









The base of the tree

 

Possibly Salix lanata..'Wooly Willow' .

Dave

 

that's what I was thinking, Dave. Is it available as a grafted standard?

 

Looking at the tree base photo that may suggest it is a grafted one .
Dave

 

Thank you both for responding so quickly. Forgive my ignorance but why are trees grafted? and does it make any difference to its care?

 

Hey Gypsy,

One of the main reasons for grafting a tree would be to stop it from growing too big.
You a graft a desirable tree onto some much slower growing rootstock and the whole thing remains a manageable size.

Lots of fruit trees for gardens and patios are grafted these days.

Sometimes, suckers- or shoots from the original root stock will come through, nip them off.

As for care- the join is solid, and just needs routine care to make sure it isnt buried under soil or damaged with a spade or fork.

 

Thanks All - Off to give original shoots a trim