Did you see the tree suffering last 'summer'? I have a contorted willow and it was very poorly. Now I have just spent several hours pruning out dead twigs and even small branches.

I am wondering if yours is also a casualty of two wet summers and a wet and cold winter. Don't give up on it just yet, though. There's still time for buds to appear.

many thanks for the advice, do you a general plant feed or do you use something else thanks again

I use blood, fish and bone as a good fertiliser at this time of year on most plants and shrubs including roses and Clematis, too! I shall give my willow several handfuls!!

I do hope your willow recovers. I am so sad about the state of mine - I just hope the leaves will help to make it look better!