Salix babylonica
Description: The Weeping Willow is a woody, deciduous landscape tree. This tree is known for its rapid growth, reaching a height and width of 30 to 40 feet. However, this rapid growth is accompanied by relatively weak wood, making the tree susceptible to cracking or breaking.
Twig/Bark: It features grayish-brown or grayish-black furrowed bark that adds to its textural appeal. Its distinctive weeping branches and stems exhibit a reddish-brown to yellowish-brown hue, enhancing the tree’s ornamental qualities.
Leaves: The leaves are linear and lanceolate, characterized by serrated margins. The upper surface of the leaves are light green, while the undersides exhibit a glaucous appearance, providing a striking contrast that adds to the tree’s aesthetic value.
Flower/Fruit: In spring, it produces male and female catkins. The male catkins are particularly showy, measuring 1 to 2 inches long and consisting solely of stamens, as they lack petals. The fruit develops as a dry green to brown capsule that releases cottony-like seeds and ripens between late May and early June.
Habitat: This tree thrives best in full sun or partial shade, preferring very moist soils that range from acidic to alkaline. Regular pruning to remove heavy branches can help mitigate breakage risk. It’s an effective specimen tree at the edges of ponds, lakes, or any low-lying areas in the landscape that retain water. Consequently, it is well-suited for rain or water gardens, as well as pollinator, butterfly, and winter gardens. When planted on slopes, the Weeping Willow can help control erosion. However, it is important to note that this tree is not typically recommended for home landscapes due to issues related to litter, breakage, and susceptibility to diseases and insect problems. Additionally, its invasive root system can potentially damage water or sewage pipes, posing a risk to infrastructure.