My propert in Aggisiz has several of these. They suffered damage in our winter storms. I am told they are willows. Is this indeed a corkscrew willow?
It's a little hard to tell from your picture but it does look like a good possibility. A clearer picture and one with leaves would probably help identification.
Yes, it looks to be a willow. More than one contorted form is on the market. In many situations these are often best managed by pruning them down hard to near the ground or a low trunk each year at the end of winter, once well established. With the structure near the one shown in addition to it having demonstrated some tendency to be damaged on that site it appears this specimen is a candidate for such treatment.
Thank You WR-43. The leaves have not been in abundance, limited to the very top in recent years. I wonder what this is indicative of?
Thank You Ron B. I will cut back the broken branches now (they are a danger), then prune it back to the level you suggest after next winter. Could feeding help the situation?
