I ordered and received a small 8" or so weeping willow from eBay. It wasn't in a container, just the tree and the small roots covered up so I assume they wouldn't dry out during transport. I planted it in a small probably 6" or so diameter pot with potting soil and have been watering it everyday. I hadn't planned on soil planting it for a year or two, if possible. I've been keeping it outside in the pot, but temps are going to soon be below freezing and I'm wondering if I should bring it in until spring?
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I would bring it in. Keep it near a window with the same direction of exposure it will be in when you plant it next spring.
Thanks, but I don't have anywhere indoors that will receive the same amount of sun it will outdoors. My house basically has shade trees covering it. I might be able to get an hour or two of morning or evening sun, but not both.
Ok, I brought it in since tonight will be a hard freeze. As I know almost nothing about plants in pots anyway, this is even a more special case with the tree. So, what do I do now? Keep it in until Spring, water it, and just try to keep it near the sun? As I mentioned, inside the house, the amount of sunlight reaching anything is poor due to shade trees covering the house. Suggestions?
Perhaps bring it inside at night and move it outside in the morning, unless it is freezing temperatures. You might also be able to store it in a shed or garage during the coldest parts of the year.
Good luck!
Willow trees do well in full sun, but keep roots moist. They do well in any climate so you can leave it outside. Provide a collar around your tree to protect it from animal's that nibble until it grows larger.
Weeping Willow's natural range cover all of the US except the upper mid west. They grow quite well as far north as Massachusetts.
If I were concerned about the cold affecting it, I would plant it in at least a gallon pot. Then, I would dig a hole where I wanted the tree to grow. The hole should be 3-4 deeper than the pot. Line the bottom of the hole with 3-4 inches of gravel to provide good drainage. Place the pot in the hole and back fill as needed.
In late spring, you can take up the tree, remove it from the pot and plant it in the same hole
I think it wrong to bring the tree inside for the winter. It is against what the tree is designed to be accustomed to. If your ground has not yet frozen hard, it's not to late this year. I'm sure the nursery that grew this tree does not bring all their stock inside for winter. If in doubt call your state arborist.
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