Salix Tortuosa - leggy problem

I have a Contorted willow, 20yrs old and about 40ft high. 5 years ago this willow was extremely healthly, however now, all the lower branches have died back and leaves only appear on the end branches of bows. This tree is very leggy, should I prune it, in order to regenerate it, or is :confused: it dying?

 

Sounds like some sort of fungal attack, does the bark look different on the unleafy bits?

Could be drought if perhaps its environment has changed (new patio nearby stopping some of its water supply, other trees in competition, building work severing roots).

Might just be coming to the end of its natural.

 

Agree, but willows can take a lot of heavy pruning, so do it now and see what happens.

 

Thanks chaps. The tree is next to the pond, so no dought problems. However the bark is very healthy where the leaves are, but falls off the dead branches rather easily. I think the only option is to prune it to 1/2 it's original size and see what happens. I pruned out all the dead wood 2 weeks ago, but the tree hasn't even tried to put out new growth on the bottom 1/2. I can only conclude the curtains are closing on this tree, and nothing is to be lost by pruning it.

 

Darren, naive question is the pond a natural one - cos if its man made, the willow won't get the water and we have had a very dry winter?

 

The pond is was man made about 400 years ago, and is a 1/4 acre partial moat. The willow is only 6ft from the pond, and the pond rather is nothing but full.
Regards
Darren