One of my favorite trees is the willow and I've been wanting to try a bonsai willow since I started getting interested in Bonsai (about 6 months ago). I talked to some people about how one might go about this and the answer seemed strange to me. They told me that I should start the thing from a cutting. As willows are strong growers it would hopefully start well. Then I should cut the trunk more or less in half. The part of the trunk that was removed should then be grafted upside down to the trunk in the ground. This apparently creates the weeping effect. The person who told me this has extensive knowledge regarding fruit trees and I would say I trust them but this upside down graft just sounds too weird. Previously I was under the impression that the weeping willow is specific species of willow prone to drooping branches. Does anyone out there have good advice about how to start a willow. Thanks.

I have *never* hear of having to graft a piecie of tree upsidedown. As far as I know weeping willows are -just like weeping birch- a species of their own. The branches droop naturally. Just take cuttings of say 1-3cm thick, place in a well-draining soil, keep in the shade, out of the wind and keep moist. It should hit within a month and start growing again. Willows are among the easiest species to grow from cuttings.

cool. That makes a lot more sense. I'll find a suitable specimen and get it started. Thanks Leatherback.

weeping willow will start rooting from a branch of any size. Since they grow fast you don't need to graft anything. You should wire the branches down to get the weeping affect. I have a few willow cuttings.....

cool, thanks Pinkham. I´ll get a cutting going and when it´s got a hold I´ll start wiring.

Hello, did you do the willow cutting? Where I'm moving to soon there's a beautiful old weeping willow I'm going to take some cuttings from. Looking for tips and advice

Willows root like well.. eh.. willows!

I prefer to take cuttings in spring, once the first flush of foliage hardens. Last year I took cuttings of about 1cm thick, 15cm long (Current years growth) and placed them in well-draining substrate. Then I placed them in a big tub of water and left them in the shade for a few weeks. I think after 2 weeks the roots started to grow out of the pot. I lifted the pot from the water and just kept watering daily with loads of water, while the plant was in the shade, for another week or two. After that.. I have just treated them as any other potted plant. Grew fine.

yeah willow root easy i had a willow fall from a late winter windstorm and a 6 inch log was left behind after the cleanup. i found it in late spring growing happily in a bunch of wild lillies, it was just laying on its side.it ended up dying out and dieing tho

Have a few cuttings going too, but not sure at what point do I trim, use guy wires, choose leader, etc? Here is this guy, im thinking it should be trimmed back a bit before sept? I'm in Colorado.

Would appreciate any feedback or advice. Thanks!

... really... dig up a seven year old topic??
Advice: start a topic with your question/tree
Second advice: ASAP get that cutting out of that "bonsai pot", it serves no purpose....and it will be completely filled up with roots in no time