Root sprouts could be a problem. Good info!
Unique is an understatement lol.
Best native trees & soil for beginners in Southern United States
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JoeH
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I third or fourth the Bald Cypress suggestion, looks like you are already getting into youpons, they are good for learning clip and grow techniques as they aren't the easiest to wire, slightly brittle. Not sure if Wax Myrtle ranges up your way, but I've found them easy to airlayer and take suckers out from under them for new plants. Native oaks have been doing good for me, too.
Bonsaimushi
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A little late to the party but I wanted to thank everyone for there advice while I was doing a little research and forums watching . Came across some post about black willow some say there perfect other say there not to good any of you guys have any thoughts or experiences with them? .
Dav4
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Leo in N E Illinois
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Black willow - Salix nigra
Yes, I would say it is excellent and a poor choice for bonsai all at the same time.
Problems - grows very rapidly, it can be difficult to keep up with, especially if you are trying to do a smaller bonsai.
Advantages - grows very rapidly, is an advantage if you are growing larger size bonsai.
There is some tendency for branches that get pruned to die back entirely. I have not worked out the pattern, but it is a matter of timing. I forget whether it is winter, summer or when? you can prune with no problems and the same branches pruned at a different time will die well beyond what we would like. Search on willow bonsai, weeping willow and black willow. On BNut there is a post talking about when it is best to prune. Look for that article.
Some complain that it is a soft wood, short lived tree, but this is a non-issue, they will last the 100 years or more, plenty long enough for bonsai.
I love the dark black rough fissured bark, which contrast with the bright yellow in spring twigs. Very lovely.
They drink a lot of water, some set their willows in trays of water for the heat of the summer. Willows do not like to dry out entirely. They also do not like an oxygen poor soil. so water should never be deeper than half the depth of the pot. In autumn, winter and early spring the pot should not be in standing water. Tray of water is only for the heat of summer.
Informal upright styles are best. If you love wiring, unwiring, and re-wiring every few months, you can use black willow as a stand in for creating an image of a weeping willow. In some ways it works better than weeping willow.
Black willow will need to be repotted at least every 2 years, it might need repotting every year, the roots are very aggressive.
Black willow is extremely cold tolerant, nowhere in North America will it need temperature protection in winter, its hardy into zone 3. Just set the pot on the ground for the winter, maybe protection from winter wind would help. It does like warm humid summers. It is not a desert plant.
I had a black willow for 2 or 3 years, but the yard was too crowded, it got condemned to a shady area, and did not thrive. It eventually perished due to lack of sun. They like at least half a day of direct sun, more if possible, up to full sun.
Yes, I would say it is excellent and a poor choice for bonsai all at the same time.
Problems - grows very rapidly, it can be difficult to keep up with, especially if you are trying to do a smaller bonsai.
Advantages - grows very rapidly, is an advantage if you are growing larger size bonsai.
There is some tendency for branches that get pruned to die back entirely. I have not worked out the pattern, but it is a matter of timing. I forget whether it is winter, summer or when? you can prune with no problems and the same branches pruned at a different time will die well beyond what we would like. Search on willow bonsai, weeping willow and black willow. On BNut there is a post talking about when it is best to prune. Look for that article.
Some complain that it is a soft wood, short lived tree, but this is a non-issue, they will last the 100 years or more, plenty long enough for bonsai.
I love the dark black rough fissured bark, which contrast with the bright yellow in spring twigs. Very lovely.
They drink a lot of water, some set their willows in trays of water for the heat of the summer. Willows do not like to dry out entirely. They also do not like an oxygen poor soil. so water should never be deeper than half the depth of the pot. In autumn, winter and early spring the pot should not be in standing water. Tray of water is only for the heat of summer.
Informal upright styles are best. If you love wiring, unwiring, and re-wiring every few months, you can use black willow as a stand in for creating an image of a weeping willow. In some ways it works better than weeping willow.
Black willow will need to be repotted at least every 2 years, it might need repotting every year, the roots are very aggressive.
Black willow is extremely cold tolerant, nowhere in North America will it need temperature protection in winter, its hardy into zone 3. Just set the pot on the ground for the winter, maybe protection from winter wind would help. It does like warm humid summers. It is not a desert plant.
I had a black willow for 2 or 3 years, but the yard was too crowded, it got condemned to a shady area, and did not thrive. It eventually perished due to lack of sun. They like at least half a day of direct sun, more if possible, up to full sun.
AaronThomas
Omono
Love that second pic!
Forsoothe!
Imperial Masterpiece
So Google is a replacement for BonsaiNut? It may be friendlier...
Mike Corazzi
Masterpiece
Just be prepared to trim regularly. Also to stand out of the way of new growth so it won't grab you and take over your house.
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
I have found they don’t heal wounds well, and the wood is punky so it tends to rot. They also didn’t thrive in containers for me.
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