what is this, and can i do anything with it?

jeffcapeshop

hi,

after expressing an interest in bonsai i was given this tree, which i believe was found growing in gravelly ground on the isle of skye, scotland (harsh winters, warm summers, very wet) - was told it was a dwarf willow, though there seem to be tons of them and any descriptions described them as creeping rather than tree-shaped
Anyway, can anyone identify it?

if so, can i do anything with it bonsai-wise? it came to me buds-only and has started to leaf out over 3-4 weeks so i'm guessing it is alive?
It's currently planted in regular compost and i added a generic slow-release fertiliser stick thing.
had a gall-midge infestation which i removed (buds as large spikes containing larvae)- not sure if i should have left them but tough, what's done is done.
I'm aware this is very much an outdoor tree whatever i do with it, however i don't have that option - it is next to an always-open south facing window, and i suppose i will be trying to keep it alive if that is suitable or not..

Ok, so assuming bonsai is a possibility, what should i do? it will need repotting into bonsai soil i assume, but when should that be done? (considering it has recently been plucked from it's original surroundings and put a lot of energy into making leaves)
it's about 30cm tall and i wouldn't want it to get much bigger - is there anything i should be doing right now (spring)?
with regard to branch-shaping, they are pretty brittle.. are there some trees which are unsuitable for this?

Any advice would be welcome (even if it is plant it outside and get a more suitable one..)

thanks!

david

ps. the attachments show the shape/sillhouette and a close up of the recently-opened leaves

Attached Images

	tree.jpg (53.8 KB, 75 views)
	tree-leaves.jpg (72.8 KB, 69 views)

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msgvb

Hey Jeff,
I'm a bit new to this myself, but just a few thoughts...
with regard to changing the soil -- can you better describe what it was in when it came to you?
what was the original soil like?
and you say regular compost now -- composed of what, exactly?

what do you see for it bonsai shape wise? if it buds back on old wood, you'll have more options, but unfortunately, I don't know what it is, either. you might also consider jumping onto thegardenhelper.com -- I think they have a section that might help you identify it, as this board seems a bit slow to respond sometimes.

it sounds as though it is very much alive and is responding better to the mix you've got it in now.

again, as a novice, I can only say that most of what I've dealt with seems to do pretty well in a basic free draining soil mix, recently learning that most deciduous trees prefer a little bit more moisture than say pines or junipers, so perhaps a mix of 2 parts decomposing bark, then 1 part each of some sort of rocky medium - calcined clay or small bits of lava rock, and then some grit, which I'm sure is readily available to you. I don't know, maybe equal parts of the three. I only say that because it sounds like it seems to be responding well to the mix you've go it in right now, which I am assuming is looser and drier than what it was in when it came to you.

first thing I would probably do is get it in a proper mix, possibly even wait a year since it seems to be responding to what you've got it in right now.

second, for shaping and training, personally, I would only probably tidy it up a little bit, then give it this season to recover.

I've attached a crude example of a style I can you shaping it in, sort of a double broom style. perhaps later, when you find out what it is and see whether it backbuds when healthier, you can cut back the top of each trunk one at a time to develop more growth further down to add emphasis to the trunk. maybe cut out that middle branch on the longer trunk, or when you find out if it back buds, trim it back and develop a nice foliage pad there.

again, words and idea of a novice, but just some ideas for brainstorming.

btw, I was born in Gourock to Scottish mother & father, but have since lost my accent. too bad, the chicks here are always trying to get me to speak with one, haha. they love the bloody english! as if there's even a comparison! ha!

Attached Images

tree-edt.jpg (53.1 KB, 32 views)

Neild

Not sure what species this is. However, before getting to far into what type of soil, care, styling etc.. I would wait and figure out what it is. Just in case you wind up learning that it would be better off in your yard someplace vs. a pot. IMHO, that is. Either way, you'll know how ro care for it before doing either bonsai or landscape.
Good luck.
Neil

jeffcapeshop

I don't know what kind of soil/compost it's in - quite possibly home-made compost heap stuff - i haven't repotted it since i got it (it probably came out of the ground a month or so ago)
it is not very loose at all - in watering none has ever come through the hole in the bottom of the pot

thanks for the mockup! and i'll get onto thegardenhelper.com to get it identified now..

neil - putting it outside is not an option, i live in a flat - so it would be outside "in the wild" if i was to let it go

thanks,
jeff

msgvb

the soil presents a bit of a dilemma. your choices are:
repot it now and risk the possible trauma, or
let it go and risk degrading health when it really needs to be healthy now.

personally, I'd say go with the lesser of two evils and go ahead and get it in some looser soil now, keep it out of hard direct sun for a couple of weeks. the window you have it in should be fine.

the soil that it's in right now sounds very dense.

jeffcapeshop

assuming i was to do it, would it be better to repot right now or wait until the leaves are all out?

though presumably i still need to find out what it is before i choose a soil!