i would .. else you will end up with a bush ... and probably rootstock bush ...

and every day or two.. i would move the stake back and forth once or twice... until it loosens.. so it pulls out easily ...

i cant tell if its still potted.. keep in mind.. if you let the pot dry.. and the stake dries a bit.. it will shrink a bit ... all this presuming the stake is in there tightly ....

ken

The usual willow with this appearance is Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki'. With my having been given the impression that French pink pussy willow is being used to provide the trunks these are being grafted onto. And yes - you will have to keep shoots coming from the trunk of yours pruned off to prevent the French willow from replacing the dappled willow with its own, otherwise eventually much larger top.

Thanks, Ken! I will prune it off and start loosening that stake. No, it's not potted anymore. I actually managed to plant it in the ground. For now, I say. Because it's likely that it will not survive our winter or if it does only the rootstock part will. Seen it before!

Not sure why you think that will die. Of course things perfectly cold hardy can die, but I am assuming that is Nishiki, dappled willow tree which is grown here in the southern half of MN. The species that makes up the trunk should be plenty cold hardy as well.

Pennlake, we have trouble with grafted trees in general here. I'm just setting my expectations reasonably in case it does die. I've had my share of grafted Japanese Maples get my hopes up, then lose the JM part. Another family member had one of these willows and it didn't make it so mostly I am just cautious to get too attached. But no harm trying since it was free to me.