Question
My husband and I planted a glove Navajo willow last fall.  It is now about 5 1/2 feet tall.  the top foot or so has no leaves growing on the branches.  Is it safe to cut those branches off, or what would you recommend?  Why is it doing this?  The rest of the leaves on the tree look good, no browning or insect bites.  Thank you.

Answer
First check to see if the branches are dead--start near the end of a branch and scrape a small bit of bark off the branch--if the color under the bark is green the branch is still alive and should be left it may sprout later. If the color under the bark is brown the branch is dead at this point on the branch. If brown continue down the branch until you find green or reach the trunk. The brown (dead) part can be pruned off.