Hello Sue,

Your dappled willow can absolutely be brought back into good shape, even after bad pruning and wind damage. The key is to restore structure, remove the worst damage, and encourage healthy new growth—and fortunately, willows are very forgiving shrubs.

Below is a clear, Michigan‑appropriate plan based on university‑extension guidance and research‑based pruning practices.

What to Prune Now (After Wind Damage + Past Bad Cuts)

The first priority is structural recovery. University extension sources emphasize removing hazardous or compromised wood first.

Remove all dead, split, or hanging branches. These weaken the plant and increase the risk of future storm damage.

Cut out weakly attached shoots—especially those created by past topping or heading cuts. These regrowth shoots are prone to failure.

Eliminate crossing or rubbing branches to reduce the risk of wounds and improve airflow.

Take out the oldest, thickest stems at the base to rejuvenate the shrub. This is standard for dappled willow and helps restore a balanced form.

When to Prune in Michigan

Michigan State University Extension and other horticultural sources agree on timing:

Best time for major corrective pruning:

Late winter to early spring (roughly late February–early April in Michigan).

This avoids stressing the plant and encourages vigorous new growth.

Pruning too late in spring removes new buds and weakens the shrub.

Light shaping:

Late summer (August) is acceptable only for light shaping—not heavy cuts.

How to Fix the Shape After Damage

Dappled willow naturally grows into a fountain‑shaped, multi‑stem shrub. To restore that:

1. Rebuild the framework

Select 5–7 of the strongest, best‑angled stems to keep as the main structure.

Remove others at the base to reduce congestion and wind resistance.

This thinning method is recommended for maintaining natural form.

2. Open the center

Remove several interior stems to improve airflow and reduce the risk of fungal issues.

This is especially important in humid Midwest summers.

3. Reduce height (but avoid topping)

Instead of cutting across the top, cut individual tall stems back to a lower side branch.

This avoids weak regrowth and structural failure.

Topping leads to weak shoots prone to storm damage.

4. Encourage outward growth

Make cuts just above outward‑facing buds to promote a balanced, rounded canopy.

If the Shrub Is Very Misshapen or Severely Damaged

You can rejuvenate a dappled willow by cutting it back to 6–12 inches from the ground.

This is a recommended technique for plants that are badly damaged or neglected.

Willows regrow vigorously from the base.

Afterward, water well and mulch to support recovery.

This is often the fastest way to “reset” a willow that has become a tangled mess.

Tools You’ll Need

University extension guidance recommends:

Bypass pruners for small stems

Loppers for ¾–2" branches

Pruning saw for anything thicker

Sanitize tools between cuts to prevent disease spread

Michigan‑Specific Considerations

Heavy winds and storms are common, and willows are prone to breakage if not thinned regularly.

Maintaining an open, balanced crown reduces wind resistance and future storm damage.

Avoid pruning after September, as new growth won’t harden before frost.

Resources:

Tips on tree and shrub pruning - MSU Extension

Pruning trees and shrubs | UMN Extension

HO-4-W.pdf

Helping Trees Recover After Storms

How to Manage Storm-Damaged Trees | Yard and Garden

I hope this helps!

Thank you !