Regardless of what you plant, if you have a wet area you need to plant your tree high. If there's a spring you might want to just set the tree out of the pot and backfill around it. Kind of like a container with no sides.

You don't say where you are or what you want the tree to do. Some willows like lots of water, but they are a very big and easily damaged tree for a regular yard.

if there is snow.. and you had as bad a winter as most of us had... then you are at least a month early in worrying about this thing ...

the future is all in the buds... and though about 50% of my conifers are showing winter damage.. i can find no indication of any bud failure ...

so when you take some pics... get one of the buds.. so we can look at yours ...

not to mention ... the bad winter.. but your tree also is dealing with transplant shock.. for at least 2 years ...

and.. if it is a pine [some folks call everything a pine] ... consider that when it is a 100 foot telephone pole.. that those few low branches are not really all that important ...

if you had it planted.. and have a warranty.. talk to your seller.. later in the spring ... if it ever comes for you.. lol... i still have a very little snow left .. i am waiting also ...

and if it fails.. get a 3 footer.. and plant it yourself.. properly ... and we can tell you how to do that ...

ken