In message , AlisonAPg
writes
If it is a willow (ask neighbours or borrow tree book from library for
identification) they can be regularly trimmed (coppiced) almost back to ground
level if necesary and will regrow. Best time would be Autumn though.

Yep, hard to kill a Willow.

The willow has currently been pollarded - which is like coppicing, but
they are cut back at a higher height. It is a a traditional way to
manage Willow -you can often see old willows by rivers that used to be
pollarded, though often aren't anymore - they have a big 'lump' where
the pollarding used to take place.

Personally i don't like it in a garden as I think it looks pretty ugly,
but you can continue with it if you want. you don't have to cut it back
hard each time though, you could remove just some of the branches each
year - say over a 4 year cycle so that the tree keeps some cover, all
the time, but has got some new growth coming on and doesn't get to big.

Autumn/winter is the best time for this, but Willows are so tough ands
easy going you could do it now if they want to get on top of it now.
--
Chris French and Helen Johnson, Leeds
urg Suppliers and References FAQ:
http://www.familyfrench.co.uk/garden/urgfaq/index.html