Dwarf weeping willow (S. babylonica 'yatsubusa')

[Mikecheck123]

This is a really interesting specimen I picked up from Evergreen Gardenworks. Not much info about it there ("A miniature weeping willow for a small area or for bonsai. We have not grown out this tree and do not know its ultimate size. Its leaves and branches are about half size.") Does anyone have one of these?

It's such a cool tree that I'm surprised I haven't seen more of them around. Despite being a dwarf, it is an incredibly FAST grower and VERY THIRSTY. I have 6-7 different willow varieties, and this is the thirstiest one. Literally my thirstiest tree.

Here's when I first got it (Sept. 2020).

 

[Mikecheck123]

I had to chop it back pretty hard in the spring so that it would fit in my car for the move from California to Virginia, but by July it was rocking again.

 

[Mikecheck123]

One year of growth (with one aggressive chop).

 

[Mikecheck123]

Here's the new foliage emerging this spring. So cute!

 

[Mikecheck123]

And here it is today. It's a total head-turning monster, but still under 4 feet tall. People literally do a double take and ask me "what the hell is that!?"

And what's cool about it is that it weeps naturally. I wish I had a nickel for every noob who wants a weeping willow bonsai but can never figure out how to make them weep (or survive). This tree just does it's own thing automagically.

 

[Mikecheck123]

Did I mention it's thirsty? It sucks up at least 2 gallons a day. Gotta keep refilling the pan.

https://imgur.com/a/EcBFGGP

 

[Mikecheck123]

And finally, a a word of warning to others: willow scams are one of the most rampant bonsai scams around. I have seen dozens and dozens of ads for "dwarf willows" on Amazon, but literally all of those are scams. If you want the real deal, don't purchase from anywhere but Evergreen Gardenworks.

 

[moke]

I've got one that I purchased from @NewWorldBonsai this past winter it was a tiny cutting that is growing quickly, I was able to get nice movement in the trunk while it was small. I can't wait to see how it develops over the next few years.

 

[Scorpius]

Not a tree you want over your well or septic system. They do love their water.

 

[Mikecheck123]

Not a tree you want over your well or septic system. They do love their water.

It actually borders on the side of annoying. Today we stayed at the pool a lot longer than I expected too. And I didn't wanna be that guy who was like, well, family, I know we're having fun, but it's 100F today and I need to go water the trees.

At 9:30 a.m., I absolutely saturated the entire pot until water was overflowing out the top, and filled the one-gallon reserve pan.

And yet, when I got home at 4:30, the top leaves were already crispy. Dammit! Should have popped it in the kiddie pool!

 

[Dysfunctional Vet]

The good thing about willows is even if the leaves all go crispy and fall off, they will usually push new growth if you start watering again. I have a very very very thirsty corkscrew willow that dried out one day, all leaves went crispy and fell off. 2 weeks later it’s almost as if it never happened, but it’s not as thirsty now.

 

[Mikecheck123]

Approaching ethereal greatness.

 

[19Mateo83]

That’s a pretty sweet willow. Any chance I could talk you into shipping a few trimmings one state south?

 

[Mikecheck123]

That’s a pretty sweet willow. Any chance I could talk you into shipping a few trimmings one state south?

Pm me. I have hundreds of rooted cuttings I don't know what to do with. I ran out of pots.

I can't imagine the water bill if I suddenly had a hundred of those.

 

[The Curator]

I would also love some! My wife loves willows, and I was actually looking at grabbing one of these from Evergreen. A handful of rooted cuttings would be perfect. I'll DM you.

 

[Mikecheck123]

I trimmed away a few crossing branches that were messing up the lines. Much better! Now it looks like a fountain of fun.

 

[Mikecheck123]

And I think it's worth repeating that less than 3 years has elapsed since the first photo. Nice!

 

[NateDyk47]

Pm me. I have hundreds of rooted cuttings I don't know what to do with. I ran out of pots.

I can't imagine the water bill if I suddenly had a hundred of those.

If you still have some you're looking to part with, I'd happily take them off your hands!

 

[Mikecheck123]

If you still have some you're looking to part with, I'd happily take them off your hands!

I'm afraid that due to high demand, I can only accommodate those who want to trade something interesting.

 

[NateDyk47]

I'm afraid that due to high demand, I can only accommodate those who want to trade something interesting.

No worries, thanks anyway!