Question
I would like to top my weeping willows.  Is that safe to do.
I have dying branches and it looks ragged.  I would like to trim it back as much as possible.  Part of it is hanging over my deck.

Answer
Topping it would not be a good thing to do to a willow. You can give it a "hair cut" by pruning out the dead and dying branches and the ones over hanging your deck. This can be done at any time. but best done in the winter. It will continue to grow and hang over the deck it may just be the tree is in the wrong place. But moving it maybe a big job if the tree is large. I would prune back the branches that are hanging over now and this winter give it a heavier side pruning but not cut the top branches.