51cg

Just been given a bonsai from a friend, but it’s been rather neglected. All he’s told me is that it’s some form of Willow (Salix), and that is was left inside in a window. A couple of months ago it was growing really well, then quickly deteriorated and dropped nearly all its leaves. Following that I took it and started to keep it outside but to no improvement. I’m not totally sure what the issue is. Leaves are brown and dry, and branches look as if the bark is peeling and they have a yellowish sticky substance on them in places. Roots look to be ok however. In addition at the bottom of the trunk there is a Shari that has a sort of black mold in it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

First it is dead. It has been inside and that has contributed to killing it, along with lack of water. It is a reasonable pot so at least you have that.

It is just barely possible that the roots are alive and may come back. Just barely. Leave it outside in just a little sun and keep it fairly moist. If you see a green sprout in a month or so you may have the beginning of a tree with lots of deadwood. I would not count on that.

Many forms have a story like that. I have presided over the death of maybe a hundred trees. Two came back. Not good odds.