Near a lake or on a broad lawn, weeping willows enhance the beauty of the landscape.
Regrettably, they have several drawbacks that can make them unsuitable for most homeowners.
On the other hand, if you possess the correct conditions, weeping willows can be an elegant addition to your garden.
Weeping willows (Salix babylonica) are from China and Central Asia. They can be found in the U.S. from zones 2 to 9. These trees were used as a medicinal plant by Native Americans. They would relieve headaches and soreness.
This stunning tree comes with some fascinating facts, here’s everything you need to know about powerful willows.
How Fast Does a Weeping Willow Tree Grow?
Its bark, gray and rough, is accentuated with long and deep ridges. Willow leaves are lance-shaped and turn yellow in the fall before shedding. With a width of up to 6 inches, these leaves are small and brittle.
In spring and late winter, the tree brings leaves known as catkins which bloom with the tree.
With a height of 50 feet, a mature weeping willow will boast an equal width and add long, pendulous branches to its stature.
Growth Pattern
Weeping Willows have a rapid growth rate, capable of attaining more than two feet in height annually. Their lifespan is relatively short, averaging 30 years, but with diligent care, they can live up to 50 years.
In a fertilized lawn, weeping willows seldom require additional fertilizer. You may use fertilizer in spring only if growth appears sluggish or leaves become chlorotic.
Apply under the canopy of the tree ½ cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer. The tree will receive equal portions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which is essential for its healthy growth.
- Phosphorus is vital for the advancement of stems, roots, and flowers.
- Potassium is an overall health enhancer.
- Nitrogen encourages the production of foliage on the tree’s renowned weeping branches.
Organic steer manure will suit your needs. It has all the essential nutrients listed previously.
The weeping willow can tolerate locations from full sun to partial shade. However, the growing tree will benefit from four hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight daily.
If you’d like to grow this beautiful tree, make sure you:
- Weeping willow trees should be planted by creating a hole that is equal to the depth of the root ball but twice as wide.
- Place the tree upright in the hole and ensure it is straight.
- Do not put compost, manure, or fertilizer into the hole as this will cause roots to circle instead of spreading out.
- Put in two gallons of water after filling the hole halfway with soil, then fill the hole with the remaining soil while tamping it down firmly.
- Construct a circle with a radius of three feet around the tree. This area will prevent weeds from growing and can be created by adding mulch.
- For mulch, you can use 2-3 inches of bark. Also, help the sapling tree grow straight by staking it if necessary.
Propagation for the Salix babylonica occurs via stem cuttings. Cuttings need to be a minimum of two feet in length. When the willowing tree is dormant, it can be cut back to the base from which it can be taken.
Fallen leaves indicate that autumn has arrived, and the temperature being below 32 degrees Fahrenheit at night is conducive for taking cuttings.
You can place the cuttings into the soil in early spring as well as late winter. During the entire growing season the soil needs to be moist so that healthy roots are developed.
If you want your tree to have more vigor, you can prune it in February or March by cutting all the tree’s branches. This encourages new ones to grow.
Consider pruning while the tree is still young. This will make sure it has only one central leader.
Train the tree’s branch angles to be wide to avoid breakage. Willows are fragile and easily damaged by the wind.
You can watch how to grow a weeping willow tree here:
Soil Types
Weeping willows can tolerate most soil types including:
- Alkaline
- Clay
- Sand
- Compact soil
You need to ensure proper drainage and that the soil is slightly acidic and moist. Willows prefer slightly acidic soil. If your area has too much alkaline, adding organic matter will help.
Watering Schedule
Water the newly planted tree weekly for a year. Once established, willows are drought-tolerant but may drop leaves. They thrive with regular moisture.
If your tree is planted in an irrigated lawn, it should receive an adequate amount of water. For this reason, many trees are located close to streams, lakes, or ponds.
Because they enjoy standing water, the extensive root systems are effective in clearing up puddles. Willows can also help clear flood-prone areas of your garden.
Where Do Weeping Willow Trees Grow Best?
The weeping willow tree requires a wider space for its growth.
These will be wide stretches of lawn, broad meadows or yards, as the trees can reach 50 feet in height and width.
The roots extend beyond the tree. They tend to gravitate toward the nearest plentiful water source. Additionally, they respond to the nutrients found in the soil surrounding a septic system.
They are well-adapted near water but moderately drought tolerant. Thus, you do not have to worry about having to put them right next to a pond. They endure cold winters and hot summers as long as they are watered regularly.
Weeping Willow Pests and Problems
The pests that affect weeping willows include the gypsy moth, aphids, and borers. These insect afflictions pose a problem because they are hard to manage, particularly with larger trees.
Consider employing a spraying regimen intended for the specific pest that is bothering the tree.
Tree collars should be placed on young willow trees that are susceptible to rabbits, deer, and elk, which may feed on them.
They also suffer from several diseases including:
- Willow scab
- Willow blight
- Crown gall
- Root rot
- Leaf spots
- Black canker
- Rust
- Tar spot
- Powdery mildew
These diseases can result in branch dieback, twig dieback, defoliation, and in some instances death of the tree.
Disease-resistant cultivars should be used alongside adequate watering during dry times for the tree to remain healthy.
Timely removal of leaf litter is critical in controlling the spread of diseases not just in the willow, but across other plants in the garden.
Invasive Roots
Weeping willows possess shallow roots with invasive characteristics. They can spread up to three times the distance from the trunk to the tree canopy.
Roots can lead to irregularities on the lawn’s surface and even crack cement sidewalks and patios. Sewer and plumbing pipes located beneath the surface can also be affected.
Leaf Litter and Low Lying Branches
Willows are known for their very brittle wood which willows tend to splinter easily. If you are located in areas with icy winters, ice storms, or strong winds, this characteristic will prove to be problematic.
annually to remove any dead or damaged portions. Suckers and branches with a vertical growth habit should also be removed. The long whip-like branches are known to break easily during windy conditions and as such, contribute to a lot of debris.
Should I Plant a Weeping Willow Tree?
Who doesn’t love the weeping willow with its graceful, ground sweeping branches?
Willows bring charm to any landscape, however, caution should be exercised when planting them. They are not ideal next to a pool or beside a house.
Willows require open spaces for growth but should be planted far enough from where the twigs won’t obstruct children’s play activities or foot traffic.
Also avoid planting them close to a swimming pool so you don’t need to pick up leaf litter often.
Children enjoy climbing trees, and willows are no exception. Due to the branch structure of willows, they are easy to climb. The whimsical, elevated area is an enjoyable place to play, though it is wise to exercise caution as brittle branches pose a risk of falling.
Related species of Salix babylonica that warrant attention include its most common landscape cultivar, which remains the focus of interest.
Found in open locations as well as wet sites, The Wisconsin weeping willow (Salix babylonica x Salix pentachdra) makes an excellent tree selection. It can reach heights and widths of 30 to 40 feet.
Try the cultivar “Elegentissima” as well. This variation is characterized by even longer branches. Both cultivars are suitable for growing in zones 4 through 9.
What about a willow with brazen, golden twigs? The Golden Weeping Willow (Salix alba “Tristis”) is a hardy plant with a growing range of zones 3 through 10. It can attain a height and spread of roughly 50 to 70 feet. Its green foliage turns golden in the fall, adding to its ornamental value.
If you desire a tree that is enchanting yet useful, consider the Weeping Willow. They are superb sheltering trees due to their extensive and abundant foliage.
They provide excellent shade, comfort, and a refuge. Their elegant beauty evokes a sense of wonder and delights the senses.