Help & advise with a broken Salix Integra 'Hakuro-Nishik

[AngelGirl]

[align=left]Hi all, I hope someone can help me.* I am seriously amateur at gardening and know nothing at all really apart from extreme basics, but I want to learn.[/align]
[align=left]I have a 2 year old, Salix Integra 'Hakuro-Nishiki' (The Dappled Willow), its not very big but I'm trying my best.* Unfortunately when I went into the garden this morning, I found it had broken.* I don't know if it was from the wind yesterday or how it has happened.* The branch is not completely broke, but it is split through the middle.* I have tied string around it to hold it back together and supported it with bamboo canes too.* Please can someone tell me if I can get this to survive or is it just going to die, also how would I take a cutting from it to start the growth of another one?[/align]
[align=left]I really hope someone can help as I really do like the look of this tree.[/align]
[align=left]Regards, AngelGirl[/align]
[align=left]*[/align]

[Newt]

Hi Angel Girl,

I'm wondering if your plant is being grown as a tree form or a shrub form.* These shrubs are often grafted onto a single trunk to look like a tree.* If yours is the tree form, and it's the trunk that has broken, there is only a slight chance that you can save it.* Is there any way you can post a picture of the break and the entire plant?

If yours is the shrub form I would suggest you prune the broken to the ground or just behind the break with a clean cut.

Willows are prone to many insect pests and diseases.* Once there is a break in the outer surface, that allows penetration of insects and disease.* Of course you can give it a try, but don't be discouraged if what you have done doesn't work.

Willows are very easy to propagate.* You can either put the cut branch in moist soil or root in water.* Here's how to propagate landscape plants.
http://muextension.missouri.edu/xplo...ort/g06970.htm

Here's some info on these shrubs you might find interesting.
http://www.taunton.com/finegardening...o-nishiki.aspx
http://www.paghat.com/hishiki.html

Newt