Yes, Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"

Lisa - is that spot with the brown in the direct line of the prevailing winds? I noticed when I had one that those parts that were constantly exposed to the wind and being whipped around in it would have the leaves shred and dessicate and eventually turn brown and fall off. The stems would eventually releaf, but otherwise I could see how that was stressing it. Alternately, if something has happened to the root system, then the water pathways to those branches may have shut down causing the brown-out. They are pretty forgiving and if you wait (and as long as the stems are green), it could releaf. But do realize that like other willows, they like alot of moisture and lack of it can cause the crispy leaves on them too.

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Thanks, we'll have to think about whether to cut back and hope it regrows vs getting something else in there sooner. We're definitely paying attention to long-term sizes and not just what things look like today. >"never forget.. foundation plantings are planted to hide the foundation. NOT ON THE FOUNDATION .." Agree entirely! That holly is only 1 foot off the now house because we cut it back -- the holly and other shrubs were fully pressed up against the house itself. A large cypress-y thing was even half-way up the dining room windows, pressed against the glass. Every single foot of exposed foundation around the entire house had plants in direct contact, at least during the growing season. A 20 foot-tall willow tree was planted less than two feet from the foundation, a large hawthorn tree was basically laying on top of the whole garage roof, and vines were starting to pull the electrical and cableTV wires off the house!!! Rose bushes impinged on the driveway so badly that the passenger doors of cars were inaccessible. What's odd is that the previous owner, a 60-something single man, wasn't neglectful or an invalid in general, in most ways he was decent with maintaining the house. But he apparently loved the feel of living in a jungle, totally overgrown everywhere. The interior was full huge ferns and the like.