Willow

BrianBay9

I am back from my business trip, and as promised, I will start posting some of my trees. I've been working on most of these for less than 4 years.

Here's a start - a willow that, unfortunately, does not look as interesting with my photography. The right fork of the tree actually bends toward the viewer, while the left moves away. The first limb on the right fork moves back, but it's hard to tell.

Anyway, this willow was a great beginner tree - cheap nursery stock, hard to kill, quick growing. Do you think it's too tall? All comments appreciated.

Brian

Attached Images

willow.jpg (68.1 KB, 254 views)

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weeijk

Hi Brian,

How come too tall I don't know its hight, but it doesn't seem so high.
What is it?? a weeping willow
When it;s a normal willow I would lose the left trunk and keep the right.
In Holland they're called "knotwilg" which means that al the branches are cut at the end of the growing season. Al the braches are cut, so an empty tree remains.

I've posted a photo of a tree with its branches.

good luck, Wessel

Attached Images

knotwilg.jpg (17.7 KB, 132 views)

BrianBay9

Thank you Wessel. It is a normal willow (i.e. not weeping). I believe its common name here is blue willow, but I don't know the species. I will certainly consider removing the left fork. In that case would you consider changing the planting angle for the remaining, right fork?

Brian

TreeBay

I have never seen a willow like this. Apple green twigs and short internodes and well ramified.



It looks just like a Japanese Maple! Unfortunately we have to find a way to get around your small pictures. They are like postage stamps.



Regards,

Matt

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BrianBay9

I'm working on it Matt. I'm talking with my favorite digital photo expert this afternoon, and should have a new program to work with by tomorrow.

Thanks for the comments on the postage stamp willow anyway. The ramification ain't great, but not bad for a willow.

Brian

Alasdair

"knotwilg"

I think the term in english is pollarding. And for those of you who are interested in stick-making, it yields fantastic material on full sized trees. the right thickness, nice and straight and the angle from the trunk allows a fantastic handle to be carved.

This method of tree pruning gives a massive trunk with fantastic ramification. Plenty of leaves in the summer. I think it does have one disadvantage though, it does leave the tree rather ugly looking after the initial pruning. But if you give it time, the scar from a large branch can be hollowed out to great effect.

I'd love to get my hand on some living willow for bonsai and have heard that cuttings root up to 8 inches thick because of their natural rooting hormones in vast amounts. any truth behind this?

thanks.

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Cosen

Don't know how it exactly works with the hormones.
But its the truth with these's type of willow's.
The even sell unrooted cutting's with this thickness in nursery's.
If placed in water they will root in no time.
However (been told) these roots are adapted to the water so you need some "training" to adapt them to soil.
Maybe soil right away will work but ill guess i have to do some experiments for you when its that time again

Gr. Dave

Pill_Man

Newt

No need to root them in water, just use normal potting soil (not bonsai soil) and never let it dry out. I have also just stuck a willow stick in the ground (as a kid) and it took right off! I like to crush a branch and soak in water then soak collected material in it, have had great luck this way.

Newt