Question
-Thank you Tom:  Perhaps I should tell you that we live in the Washington D.C. area, if that makes any difference to surviving the winter.  Does the fact that the small new little green leaves are tinged with black--since the tree loses its leaves in the fall anyway, perhaps that is normal.  All I want is for there to be new leaves and branches next year.  Does the number of new roots on the cutting make any difference to the survival?  Some have more than others.
     Again, thanks.
     Sonia

(Thought you might be interested that when I clicked on  the Reply LInk to get your response it told me the page was unavailable.  Then I  cut and pasted the url, and it was still unavailable.  Then I gave up on AOL Internet Explorer and was able to get to your reply via Netscape.  ?)          ------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Unfortunately a month ago a thirty year old pussy willow tree fell and had to be removed.  Since it was started with a cutting from my daughter's Sunday School class we have a sentimental attachment.  I now have about 15 cuttings growing small roots in assorted vases, but since the weather is growing cooler I don't know what to do with them.  I put 4 outdoors two weeks ago and the small green leaves are now tinged with black.  Perhaps I should put the others in pots and keep them indoors until spring.  I would appreciate any advice.  I will be happy if I can just come out with one healthy young tree.
Answer -
Hi Sonia,
Thanx for your questions.  I think the pussy willows you planted in the ground will be okay.  As soon as it starts to frost, mulch them up with 4 or 5 inches of leaves or cypress bark.  The others can be planted in a pot and allowed to go dormant outdoors but protected from north winds.  Place against the house.  They should survive the winter.  YOu can also try to keep some alive indoors.  I don't know how well that will work though because deciduous trees and shrubs require some cold periods as part of their growth and rejuvenation cycle.  I hope this helps.
Tom

Answer
Hi Sonia,
The Washington area is similar in climate to my area (Kansas City) so I think the advice I gave you will be fairly sound.  I think the pussy willows already planted will be fine and you can enhance protection as I previously described.  Sounds like the black on the leaves is a normal part of the growing process as the twig is in the process of going dormant for the winter.  The number of roots on the cuttings makes a big difference.  More roots means a stronger plant.  I think well protected plants will survive.  Also, the main plant that died will probably send up some surviving shoots next spring.  It's hard to kill an adult pussy willow sometimes.  I hope this helps.
Tom