Do any of you have a Janpanese willow? I have one and let it grow into a bush. It grows so fast that I have to take the hedge trimmers to it three times a year to keep it a decent size. Have any of you had a bush and then made a tree out of it? I thought maybe if I took off the side branches, I could grow it into a tree. Would that look awkward do you think? If anyone has had any experience with it, I would like to know what to do.
My mind is a garden. My thoughts are the seeds. My harvest will be either flower or weeds. --Mel Weldon
Pretty well any shrub can be made to form a tree but there are steps that have to be followed and you shouldn't try it unless the shrub is of an age that lets it be pruned to grow in a chosen form. There are any number of websites that describe the steps to follow and, since the willow is so fast growing, it would be doubly important to stay on top of your attempt. Willow is a rooting hormone by itself so there is no need to use such to help this plant grow.
Is the shrub not to your liking that you want to change its form. It does a good job of giving privacy and if the wish is to have a tree would it not be better to purchase and plant a tree that would suit.
I have one, it is a tree form, grafted onto a willow root. It gets to be 10 feet tall or so. If I cut it down, it will send shoots up from the root, and make a shrub. I think you have a shrub already, cutting down parts of it will only cause it to send up more........maybe buy a tree form?
Judge not, you don't know their story.
Posts: 171 | Location: MI Z5 | Registered: May 07, 2011
Sorry, Hammer. Guess I didn't research it enough. Seems most of the 'trees' were grafted onto a regular willow tree. If you want yours to grow into a tree it takes a lot of time & patience...finding the strongest upright branch & only taking off a few side branches, etc. And, then staking it. But hey, if you want to experiment. I'll see if I can find some links for you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ "I've decided to quit my job, drop out of society, and wear live animals as hats."
Posts: 7320 | Location: Black Creek, WI Zone 5 | Registered: Sep 18, 2002
Oh geez, I don't want more Cynthia. I think maybe I will cut it down because I just can't keep up with the pruning. I have to do it about 4 times a year and it is so much work. I get so many compliments on it that I hate to cut it but don't want to work my tush off pruning it either. MGT, thanks anyway.
My mind is a garden. My thoughts are the seeds. My harvest will be either flower or weeds. --Mel Weldon
