Salix babylonica (Weeping Willow)

A popular lawn tree, Salix babylonica (Weeping Willow) is a medium to large deciduous tree boasting a stout trunk topped by a graceful open crown of branches that sweep downward to the ground. In spring and summer, it bears narrow, lanceolate, finely-toothed, light green leaves above, grayish-green beneath. They usually turn greenish-yellow in the fall, before falling to the ground and revealing the spectacular silhouette of the tree. This weeping willow is dioecious, with male and female flowers appearing in delicate green catkins, 1 in. long (2.5 cm), on separate male and female trees. It makes a spectacular specimen tree near ponds and streams where it can be reflected for double the pleasure.

• Grows up to 30-50 ft. tall and wide (9-15 m).
• Performs best in full sun in moderately fertile, medium to wet, well-drained soils.
• Easy to grow, easy to care for and deer tolerant. Keep an eye out for aphids, caterpillars, leaf beetles, sawflies, willow anthracnose diseases and a rust.
• Great near streams or ponds. Do not plant this willow near the house or a driveway because of its susceptibility to breakage and invasive roots which seek out cracks in sewer and water pipes.
• Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or hardwood cuttings in winter
• Prune as needed in late winter to early spring.
• Native to China
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.