Multi trunk willow

[BonsaiButler]

Here is one of the willows I have been working on for the last year. I collected it at the beginning of summer last year and let it grow wild (It grew very fast). After the leaves fell I thought I would try to put some wire on it and begin sorting out some of the numerous branches, and try to put some movement in them. Its still in its very early stages but there is something I really like about this tree. It has a very nice wide base that is partially fused, making for an interesting main trunk. Your thoughts and comments are always appreciated, Please don't mind my poor wiring skills I have very little experience wiring trees.

 

[sorce]

BB.

You don't want us looking at that 24karat wiring! Is that the Nanobot wire?

My Thoughts......
I think you have a good start.
But a lil too much going on.
I don't think you are going to get away with those crossing trunks.

I would cut them all down at these reds. And try to allow only their new leader to grow. Constantly removing new buds, suckers, and anything else.

If you allow just energy to the new leads, your wounds should heal, which is paramount for these IMO. And you will quickly be able to establish some nice thick tapering trunks.

I would spend 3 years chopping and growing JUST these 7 trunks out.

Then you should have something to branch off of.

Looks interestingly entertaining!

Sorce

 

[GrimLore]

It has a very nice wide base that is partially fused, making for an interesting main trunk.

If you want to leave it as is at the base I would clear all of the small branches out of the bottom half or so - that will allow you to see it and grow the top out like a Willow. If you think about it that could be a darn cool representation of an old weeper. Cool start!

Grimmy

 

[BonsaiButler]

Thank you for your comments and the virt.
sorce I can definitely see what you are seeing.
My concern with chopping the trunks again is,
that they didn't heal well the first time and most the cuts began to develop some kind of rot.
Some of the branches that had been pruned during the growing season died all the way back to
the trunk despite having numerous buds on them.

oh and the wire is from the dollar store.

 

[armetisius]

Thank you for your comments and the virt.
. . . they didn't heal well the first time and most the cuts began to develop some kind of rot.
Some of the branches that had been pruned during the growing season died all the way back to
the trunk despite having numerous buds on them. . .

Which is precisely why these are difficult subjects at best. You cut and it dies back. Sometimes a little
sometimes a lot and, sometimes even permanent dormancy, without any particularly definite means
to gauge how far it will go or how much rot will follow.
I know; it is heart breaking that something you would so love--given their growth--to be able to knock
something out quickly with happens to have the stamina of an 18 year old and the health habits of a
90 year old. It is just a trade off built in by nature--theywould choke out the other species
if they didn't have such fragile healing abilities. If it grows quickly it must be able to break down even more so.
Cool tree anyway but
Good luck with it.

 

[BonsaiButler]

Armetisius, you are absolutely right.
I have found that using something to seal the cuts helps with
The dieback somewhat, although its hit or miss.
Even though its a difficult species to work with, I am not
Ready to abandon the tree just yet.

 

[sorce]

I think cutting as early in spring as possible may help.

Then just let it go above them to heal.

Trimming suckers before they get big, and anything unnecessary should keep enough energy on top to heal the big wounds.

Maybe a quick sealant application, as Adair does with Azalea would help.
Within 30 seconds.

Where there's a willow, there's a way!

Sorce

 

[armetisius]

Armetisius, you are absolutely right.
I have found that using something to seal the cuts helps with
The dieback somewhat, although its hit or miss.
Even though its a difficult species to work with, I am not
Ready to abandon the tree just yet.

Sealing of ALL cuts is a mandatory activity on these .
And it seems, to me at least, that you get less "volatility"
if your twig trimming is done during the rain or under
a sprinkler actively preventing drying while you trim.
Good luck again.