How to cut back my flaming embers willow?

This shrub is supposed to be cut back each year so that the beautiful red twigs will be plentiful. I have not done this recently, and it is growing into a tree! What do I do now? Is there any way I can prune this so that it becomes one of those weeping standards, or do you have to start with a special willow to achieve this?
Thank you so much,
Sharon

Sharon, a photo would help. I am not a specialist with willow, but my experience would leave to believe that to have one of the weeping standard types you would have to start with a different willow. If you want to revive your willow to showy red stalks, I think you will have to cut everything down to a few inches of the ground, and soon. Someone else may come along with a better solution. Good Luck.

DonnaS

Just cut it down now, it'll send up a large cluster of sprouts which will turn red when they mature in the autumn

Resin

Be ruthless. You won't be sorry.

Can you post a picture anyway please? I'm interested in adding a few willows to the soggy parts of my yard.

I whack my Artic Willows 12' high at end of summer down to the 3' base each year and it is one of the first fountains in my garden. Very quiuck to recover. I too have placed a Flaming Embers in my garden and I thank you for reminding me to hack and slash.

What do you mean it is one of the first fountains?
Sharon

It grows its branching quickly and shows its fountain effect quickly. I have my Artic willows next to Diablo Ninebark and the willow is completly shaped before the slightly pruned Diablo.

Sorry, but I don't have my photo posting ability up to date yet. Do you think that if I would cut the flaming embers back to about 3' (It is taller than that now) it would also have a fountain effect? Guess it wouldn't hurt to try, would it? If I don't like the look, I could just cut it back even further next year...I wonder if the twigs would root as easily as my other willows.
Sharon

I think willows can root in fire:)

Caitlin ~ I tried to google your plant, and couldn't find it?

You will find it here. Flame willow Many kinds. http://www.bluestem.ca/salix-flame.htm

Thanks! Gorgeous contrast between stems and leaves.