Shows the dangers of their bad choice of measurement systems, they should use metric ;-) It is a fairly small thing, shaped like a mop-head on a stick. The height depends on the height of the stem it is grafted on to the top of; typically about a metre high on the ones sold around here. It won't get any significantly higher than its sale size, as the branches don't grow up. The branches grow from a dense tangle at the top, curved a little outward then vertically down until they hit the ground. After a few years, the crown gets full of dead twigs and looks rather ugly. The leaves are also often chewed up by various pests and diseases. Personally, it isn't a plant I'd ever grow. In terms of culture, definitely not a houseplant, it requires a cold winter rest period for successful growth. It also needs a fairly large root run (rather larger than the shrub itself); it isn't suitable for planting close to a septic system as the roots are invasive. It also needs full sun, and won't take shade well. Resin

Oh wow- sure, i'd love some, both for rooting (whatever size works best for that), and for the birds. Birds' size would probably be best at about 5/8 - 1" diameter. They can hold onto a perch as large as about 1.5", but if i don't give them good grip if the bark is slick, it's harder. Variance is good for their feet. I use the trimmings off my eucalyptus for them. Amazingly, even with the oils in it, it's another bird safe wood and they love stripping the bark and crunching the dried leaves. Only problem is it gets a little smelly once it dries out- goes from that lovely smell to sort of a cat pee smell, so the perch we made stays on the screen porch for them. :) I use my curly mulberry branches the same way- as support for other things. Only problem is the wood is weak once it's dead. So it doesn't last long at all. Good to know about bbush & caryopetris. Good thing they both root easily. I can see that being the case with both of those. I guess i just never considered that way of thinking with a tree. Makes sense for the fast growing ones, though. Though i don't reroot it, i do have to keep cutting back on the curly mulberry and it naturally seems to have large sections that die back on a few yr cycle.

I may be wrong, but I have been told that the pussy willows can deal with soil of average moisture, down to positively wet soil! Even so, if you can, put it in an area that gets a fair bit of natural moisture (runoff, etc.), rather than on the highest point of your yard. You WILL have to water it well (a gallon or more) when first planted out, every few days for the first 2 weeks, and then cut back to weekly (unless it's rained) for the next few months, until the end of Nov. If it's another mild winter, or if you are on sandy soil, I would keep on watering, lightly, in the winter, and then more heavily as it leafs out, through next summer, when the roots should have grown enough to cut back on watering to every few weeks. Newly planted trees SHOULD be watered weekly for the first 2 years, although most of us consider them lucky if the watering gets done at all after the first 6 months!! That said, I did water a bunch of my trees/shrubs that had been planted for more than 18 mo. over this summer, to stave off stress from the NASTY combination of very high heat and no rain for 3-4 months! Mulching around the tree, out to 3-4' will help with the watering, keeping the soil evenly moist. Just DON'T put any mulch closer to the trunk than 3-6 inches, and don't pile it higher than 6 inches. Mulch next to the trunk invites fungus anad rotting, and deeper than 6" prevents the free exchange of gasses/oxygen through the soil. You want to encourage the roots to grw out as widely as possible. Oh yeah, DON'T plant any willow next to your water lines or your septic system. They DO like water, and their roots will infiltrate the system.

Salix purpurea 'Pendula'.