Can anyone identify my friend's tree?

[supersprout]

My friend's new garden has a tree that looks a bit scraggly and as if it could do with pruning. The bees seem to love the pink tassels on the end of the branches. Neither of us knows what it is - can someone help with an id please? And any other tips on care? ::)

[supersprout]

[Palustris]

Is it a Tamrisk?

[supersprout]

I seemed to remember it had a lovely name and was from the Antipodes - I'm sure you're right, eric, thank you. Do you have advice on how she could bring it back into condition? :P

[Palustris]

Sorry, never lived anywhere were it would grow.

[Carol]

That looks like my weeping willow.  It gets wind damage every winter and has ended up looking like a loo brush.

:'( :'( :'( :'(

[saddad]

Looks like a Tamarisk to me as well but wouldn't know how to prune it, short of the if in doubt hack it right back and keep your fingers crossed!
;D

[jennym]

Found this on the net, hope it helps:
Summer-flowering shrubs like Tamarisk, ....can all be pruned in early spring because they set their flowers on this year's growth. Autumn pruning is not recommended for them because the new growth, stimulated by the trimming process, may not have enough time to harden off by winter. This soft tissue often dies back with cold temperature and needs to be pruned in spring.
and this:
Summer flowering varieties of Tamarisk should be pruned quite hard, early in the spring between Feb. and April.Spring flowering varieties are pruned immediately after flowering.

[nippie]

Could it be a straggley bottle brush, ( Callistemon).
If so, my book says cut back dead and frost damaged stems in spring. Or as saddad says hack it right back and hope for the best!!  :o  ;)

[supersprout]

Thanks to all :-*
Carol, are you sure your weeping willow isn't one of these? It's so easy to mistake a bottle brush for a loo brush ;D