Willows regrow from sticks and poles, they are pretty robust!
What kind of willow is it and do you have a "vision" for how it looks in time? I guess think about what shape you want to achieve. You often see them pollarded at the top as street trees, but it's a particular look (thick trunk, head of dense thin shoots at the top), or if you want it to look more natural just thin it out a bit and cut back, over time you'll get a framework of thicker branches so think about which ones you want to encourage. Bear in mind that if you like the colours of the branches, that's best on new growth.
I would quite like to grow some willow for coppicing for weaving, but it's a very different vibe (not tree like, just shoots coming up from low to the ground). But not sure we have space or enough water to sustain it.
@hoefla
Willows regrow from sticks and poles, they are pretty robust!
What kind of willow is it and do you have a "vision" for how it looks in time? I guess think about what shape you want to achieve. You often see them pollarded at the top as street trees, but it's a particular look (thick trunk, head of dense thin shoots at the top), or if you want it to look more natural just thin it out a bit and cut back, over time you'll get a framework of thicker branches so think about which ones you want to encourage. Bear in mind that if you like the colours of the branches, that's best on new growth.
I would quite like to grow some willow for coppicing for weaving, but it's a very different vibe (not tree like, just shoots coming up from low to the ground). But not sure we have space or enough water to sustain it.