My Laurel Leaf Willow was growing so well last year(approx 4 yrs old), however, this year the stems has little buds on them, but no leaves ever came. Now, every limb has turn dry. I have started to prune the tree in hopes that a late frost in the spring killed last years growth, but I don't see any evidence of green in the pruned stems. The tree has suckered and there are many 2 foot shoots coming from the base of the tree. First, should I give it up for dead? Second, can I train one of the shoots to be a tree? PLEASE HELP, I don't want to lose this tree!
The top is dead, but yes, you can grow it on successfully from the basal sprouts. Just prune out the dead top, you can leave the shoots to grow as a clump of stems, that is the plant's natural habit.
You could, but it'll be difficult, it'll likely keep on sending up more basal sprouts. Don't prune them all off at once, thin them out gradually over 2 or 3 years.
