Pruning My Willow Bonsai, The Bonsai Zone, July 2023

I'm working on three Willow trees today, my Black Willow (Salix nigra) and two large Weeping Willows (Salix babylonica) cuttings from Josh.
To see previous videos of my Black Willow Bonsai, click on the playlist here...
• Black Willow Bonsai
To see previous videos of my Weeping Willow bonsai, click on the playlist here...
• Willow Bonsai Progression
#TheBonsaiZone

[@justlucky13]

Big cut coming up

[@adamnorris8006]

I really appreciate your insight on willows, I have one left alive and I'm trying to keep it that way. I love your channel Nigel.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I appreciate that, thanks and good luck!!!

[@patsfreund9164]

Didn't realize that willows were "tricky" to make into bonsai. I'll bet yours will look AWESOME someday.

[@user-mb2qe7on4t]

Love your willows.. awesomely done

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Moicc]

In the netherlands we have alot of 'knotwilg' also a willow. Theyre cut back every few years creating a big head and stay short. Sometimes they have very hollow trunks of more than a meter wide. Also only 2 meters tall

[@Kerberos443]

Heb vorige week een tak van een treurwilg hier verderop gepakt, ze wortelen en spruiten als een wilde.

[@LetsDoBonsai]

Absolutely gutted I was in a meeting - just noticed this one - I will watching later - thanks as always nigel

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hope you enjoyed it Scott~!!!

[@joshdartist]

Just pruned up my 'Hakuro Nishiki' Dappled Willow main tree and cuttings ( future forest) yesterday... great minds think alike!

[@kiki-drawer2669]

Sat in the dentist office so long I got to watch nearly this whole thing! You calmed my nerves for sure

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Awesome!!

[@noname65PL]

The best thing about willows is that everything you prunned can be easly rooted. The worst thing is everything else.

[@brianmooney5552]

I am fond of using corkscrew willow in a forest planting. Since they root from cuttings so easily I started with one or two then just stick the cuttings into the perimeter. they grow, get trimmed back and the cycle repeats. It gives it a succession forest look with the largest parent trees in the center and the generation’s of offspring fanning outward. I use a large round bowl without any drainage holes. And heavily water of course during the hot North Carolina days. They have a upright growth pattern but not arrow straight because they corkscrew. They will need a profile pruning periodically and branch selection in the spring.

[@coneflower5101]

I have three corkscrew willows I rooted from cuttings last year. I like your idea of sticking the cuttings back into the pot. Thanks for the idea. Will try it on mine. Also thanks Nigel for a very interesting video. Very helpful as always.

[@tomwestley5487]

Willow and Alder canbe difficult. I've found with mine I put them in mid depth tubs or pots and submerge them 2 inches up the trunk of water in large sinks or water container. Liquid feed in the water occasionally. Roots form up the stem which is in the water and allow a great development of a flat root plate for later so long as kept wet or damp. Prune regularly in the later spring through summer to control the growth and direction. Took me five attempts with willow to work this method out. I already did it with my Taxodium trees. Works for bog and river trees in bonsai. Love the video and always look forward to seeing the next development video on the willows.

[@BonsaiJCan]

Really enjoyed the video Nigel, your experience and advice on growing these willows is greatly appreciated.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Glad you enjoyed it J!!!

[@FrostBiteBonsai]

Great video! I will definitely use all this information for my willows! There is a weeping willow where I take my dog to swim. There was talk of cutting it down. If they do, I will grab some cuttings. Not that I really need more trees.... Goodness... sigh... HAhah!

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌👌

[@peacecosmonaut176]

Thank you

[@pennyduncan5980]

Thx you

[@jazzrat2000]

I'd paint the bare rims of those thrift store pots to match the blue in the pattern

[@ganjananayormama6666]

So many people forget to hit the like 👍 👌 😕 😪 😴 🙄 👍 👌 😕 😊

[@lukasmihara]

I'm hoping the willows stay healthy because those looke like they have lots of potential! The growing patterns of the Norway Maple surely seem strange, but hopefully the branches and leaves will come in at the right spots.

[@has3250]

Nice video. I love deciduous bonsai

[@heidizwaenepoel7355]

Very interesting ! I have willows too, they grow insanely. And I didn’t have a clue on how to get started on them. So I learned a lot from your video. It gave me lots to think about. 🙏

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gartengeflugel924]

Regarding the cooler temperatures in summer nights, I found my subtropical trees to not care that much. It may delay their growth in a week with colder nights, but as soon as it warms up they seem to bolt right up with new growth. Only the ones sat right on the ground in half shade seem to be stunted severely and that of course also makes sense. Cheers

[@tanker965]

Thank you!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

You're welcome!

[@tanker965]

@@TheBonsaiZonewhere did you get that wilow?

[@tanker965]

@@TheBonsaiZoneyou could start a nursery! That’s how many trees you have. What’s your job?

[@G-boi]

Since you have willows i was wondering if you also have populars like popular alba for example and aldar trees like alnus glutinosa.

[@thebrightsidepotteryandbonsai]

Being a beginner myself, I, of course, have been collecting native growth for the last year, black willow among them. I have three cuttings that have struck so far, and I keep them well watered. The amount that your willows have been consuming is pretty astounding! I wonder ... may be a dumb question... will that decrease with all the pruning. Great information, as always sir! Oh! And those pots are nice!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, they won't use much water until they fill out once again!!

[@tanker965]

You should make a floriglory bonsai!

[@firstname8559]

Hi, for someone who just saw your channel, can you point me to any of your must-watch videos on willow bonsais? This is my first one and I have not pruned it since a 6 inch cutting last summer. Love this video! Btw what fertilizer should be used? Sorry if you have already described this in another video. Thanks!

[@jazzrat2000]

they weep water!

[@davidburks9938]

Hi Nigel, I love your videos and I'm a complete beginner. Willow is my first bonsai that I started this year in Feb., so I watch to learn tips and tricks. I'm wondering how the plant will survive if all the leaves and branches are cut off? And no, I'm not planning any pruning anything until I learn more.

[@PumpkinBecki]

If the willow appreciates a bit more root space, might you use them as a specimen in a larger Penjing landscape? I'm thinking of your 3D printed buildings so the tree doesn't have competition for water xxx

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Great idea Becki!! Thanks

[@jazzrat2000]

I call my loppers Cyndi

[@Gettrying101]

I love it I’m starting to grow an Australian weeping willow it says not even planted yet. Any advise?

[@bartstellink307]

Missed the start, so here I go... 😉

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Boom!

[@bryanmorrion9503]

Why the silver foil underneath the pots Nigel. Being summer and all.

[@jazzrat2000]

do you root the clipped branches?

[@sunilusk]

Namaste Nigel Sir, You apply a Rubber Cement solution on pruned areas of plant, which you had said to be more effective and cheap option. Which brand paste is it ??? Here we wont find it locally, So what are the other names Or alternatives of this product, so that in can search here in India ??

[@Stettafire]

We call it "cow gum" in the UK. But I think it's called Rubber Cement in India too. I think you may be able to find it in craft shops

[@sharicochems6299]

How are the willows.

[@tbunch2112]

Is that a Disston tenon saw, Nigel? How does a former luthier let that happen? 😢

[@TheBonsaiZone]

When I leave my tools in the greenhouse over winter accidentally, whoops!

[@Jazzgin]

Is this salix alba or salix purpurea?

[@ganjananayormama6666]

Is anyone else having trouble with selecting "All Notifications on??"

[@nn843]

Nope

[@ganjananayormama6666]

I managed to sort it but only after I resubbed

[@Stettafire]

No, but then I use my sub box not notifications (my work sets my phone off every two seconds all night - global company -so I switch all notifications off)