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Sometimes, when trying to learn something new, it sinks in better if you do it all wrong and let someone tell you. Well it seems easier than waiting three years to find out. If it's all wrong, there's still time to run back down to the river, of course spring may be a better time. My dad use to prefer transplanting trees in the late summer, early fall, of course those went in the yard. Then again, by spring, it might be down the river some place.

Willows appear to be a good tree to practice on. They grow really fast, and are very flexible, of course the wood is soft. Well I went to the river and found me a nice one. It sort of needed rescued too.

It has nice roots.



The tapering process has begun, maybe early though.



Some fisherman, needed a forked branch, but the leaves are coming back.



I went ahead and trimmed the roots, (won't need a tap root), and the trunk (I'll carve it up real neat in the spring).
it's three years old at the cut.



Put it the garden,



Next to the Elms.



Thank you for your advice.

oops, here's the roots.

You wanted critique... no one replied yet, so I'll do it

I've always wanted a willow. They grow fast and root easily, and when properly done, they can form great bonsai.
However... I think it's quite hard to create a convincing willow bonsai. I am giving it a try though. My neighbour removed a willow from his garden last year. He cut off branches every year, so it had big fat stumps, with branches growing out of them. I cut of a few of these stumps and put them in pots. They did root quickly, and branches/leaves started to develop. Unfortunately, it was late in the season and the branches apparently did not harden off sufficiently - most of the branches were dead after the winter. Still, 2 of the stumps survived and have again developed new branches. I doubt they will survive the next winter though.

I'm wondering if your willow will get through the winter, seems you're quite late too. Advantage is though that you've put it in the ground (I had them in pots - and what may have not helped is that I maybe have forgotten to water them sufficiently :oops: )

You write it has nice roots. I do not agree. I mean, not for bonsai. The root ball will become very big and high, for bonsai you require a 'root flare' and ramified roots, so you'd have to remove roots and/or part of the lower trunk (under the higher roots).

Tapering... you do have a reasonable trunk and a new leader in the right position, but I'm not so sure about carving. I think the wound will rot easily. Jin seal won't work, you would need wood hardener (I have no experience with that, you might want to Google that. Or read ). Better may be to not carve it and wait to see where and how the cut branch dies off before taking next steps.

Attached photos of my willows - they looked like this a year ago, but have not done well, so I've not done any work on the two that survived. Don't have photos of the survivors, they look worthless at the moment. Still keeping them, maybe next year...

I have to say your willow will be challenging but hey, who doesnt like a challenge? The willows you have auk (if hey survive the winter, which i think they may do) is that i can see brilliant potential, once you get the ramification and roots, and branches, IMHO your would get some beautiful bonsai there.

bob wrote: Ii can see brilliant potential

They HAD potential, but as said, they did not do well. The branches you see have died off.
The one with the fat base has died... it's now becoming compost.
The other two are still alive and have developed new branches, but it isn't much. They have have been growing the whole season so it is likely they will survive, but it is going to take very long to grow them back into something useful.

Let's wait for next spring. I'm already looking forward to it. Just half a year to go
I don't like autumn much (only the first part of it, with the leaves getting beautiful colors), and I like winter even less.

Ah, oh well, i guess only time will tell really. I hope your willow and willows get better and heal. From what i have heard, they ar strong growers, if they do make something useful, then i would think that may be a story to tell.

thanks Auk

My willow really isn't doing real good, neither, some of the leaves on top are wilting. Transplant shock it should survive, hopefully through winter. Maybe air layering might work better, since these trees are nearly always in soggy, smelly, mud. Air layer roots won't miss the mess. They do grow fast though.

Willows like to keep their "feet" (roots) wet. This is not true of most bonsai, or most plants in general, but Willows are an exception. I've had success keeping my Willow sitting on top a tray of pebbles with water. The water that drains from the soil / tree should do the job. Your tree will be in the ground for a while, so watch it closely. If the leaves begin to wilt / shrivel, it's telling you it needs your attention. Make sure to keep the soil around the tree / whip moist, don't let it dry out. You can always place some bark, moss or other medium at the bottom of the tree to help retain moisture. And, be sure to protect it from harsh / cold weather. When you do transfer your tree from the ground to a bonsai pot, I would auggest that you use an organic and Akadama mix. The organic will help keep the roots moist and the leaves from wilting. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Rudy wrote: Willows like to keep their "feet" (roots) wet.

Thanks Rudy,

Yes this one was in a very wet place, I'll just be sure to water it more. Right after I planted it, the thought accrued that the elms next to it might not like that so much, they don't grow on the river bank. There's plenty of elms around here, with lots of seeds, (that's partly I chose them). Elms are tough I won't worry.

Just keep it wet, and pray this winter doesn't repeat the last. It was really cold.

Thank you

You are welcome. If the winter is reaaly harsh and cold, you can help to protect your trees and other plants with some burlap loosely wrapped around them. Newspaper also works well for temporary protection. Rudy