Growing a Willow Tree, Sheltered From Winter, Need Help?

Question

Last summer I found a lot of big willow trees in a swamp. I've always wanted one (I think they look cool) and I do have a green thumb so I cut off some branches, put the cluster in a container of water and used the only two that grew roots and planted them in the container (using wet dirt, of course) and they grew very well. 
The leaves fell in the fall (October) and it stayed dormant...until last month because I kept it in a semi-heated portion of the house, away from snow. It can get down to -10 F during winter, it never got below 32 where I kept it.

The trees here dont grow until about mid-April. This grew leaves slowly, starting a month ago at least because it was in a window where the sun was semi-warm for a good part of the day.
Is this going to screw up its growing pattern? I can't keep it indoors much longer. I'm afraid when I keep it outside in a few weeks it'll screw it up somehow at the end of the summer.

In a way, I think I made it "think", if you will, that it was growing in, say, North Carolina, where the winters aren't as harsh. I'm going to plant it soon, is it going to die next winter?

cakes4southafrica · Accepted Answer

The leaves started appearing because of the warmer temperatures coupled with the longer daylight we are having at the moment.  

I don´t know what temperatures you have outside now, if it is not frosty weather, you could put the plant outside to get used to the cooler temperatures.  It may drop some leaves because of the temperature shock.  Best would be to keep it sheltered from the cold wind.

We have round about 50°F daytime and about 37/38 at night.  Some of the plants are starting to show the green of their leaves.  

If you keep it indoors too long, then the leaves will get burnt by the sun, so the earlier the willow goes out the better.  If there is sign of frost, then you can cover it with a sack or a thick blanket.

Your willow will grow according to the temperatures around it and the amount of light it gets.  So donn´t worry about disturbing the growing pattern.  It will adapt.

And for next winter, keep it a bit protected, shovel some compost and leaves around the stem.  If you plant it soonest, then it will have a good chance to make a good root system, but it is advisable to give it slight protection. 

Good luck with your willow.

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Growing a Willow Tree, Sheltered From Winter, Need Help?

2 Answers