Weeping Willow Bonsai - How to grow and make bonsai trees from Salix. Pruning and Wiring

Weeping Willow make great bonsai trees when you know how to prune and wire them. In this video, Adam and Ash take an existing bonsai Willow tree - prune and wire it so that it has the classic weeping style of mature Willow trees that we see in the countryside.
Our little video was filmed in summer at our bonsai shop in Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK.
Thanks for watching ‪@AllThingsBonsaiSheffield‬ and please visit our website, www.allthingsbonsai.co.uk for trees, pots, soil, tools and lots more bonsai info.

[@BuckWezr]

Keep trying, sir (on the cuttings) ... I've been doing it for years with regular success, and yes, die off is not rare. That said, I can show you massive trees that are going on 20 years old that started at cuttings in s bucket, quite literally! Granted, those are in ground examples, not bonsai or otherwise potted long term. I've struggled with trees like yours there due to the insane growth rate they can take on when conditions are right. But they also stress out really fast of allowed to wilt too hard between waterings. As i imagine you've experienced as well, completed dry pot can push these fellas into becoming horticultural black holes, from which no parasite can escape once coming within a kilometer of the stressed tree. Lol. I have some corkscrew willow bonsai in training that I started a couple years ago, so I'm in the thick of it right now, my man!

[@maryoverton7245]

I was given a very thick branch I persisted for a few years but ended up sticking it the ground it looks great growing on my dam it is now 20feet tall and just as broad. I got fed up with it losing branching and having to start again.

[@AllThingsBonsaiSheffield]

I bet it does Mary! Thanks for watching. Adam

[@lougriffiths]

I have grown quite a few willows, and they all die back to a certain extent. I have found that it is better to leave trimming them back until spring and then cut them back hard beyond any die back and deal with the new growth each year.

[@AllThingsBonsaiSheffield]

Good idea Lou, I will try this. Thanks. Adam

[@sharonbuckley4591]

I have a corkscrew willow that has gone quite wild on me and I’m not quite sure how to deal with it, but will try your technique

[@mandyhernon2238]

I pull down branches with wire and pegs nothing at permanent as wiring. I want some tubing so as not to mark branches too. Keep growing.xx

[@AllThingsBonsaiSheffield]

Another good tip Mandy, Thanks. Adam