Weeping willows are graceful, grow very fast, love wet soil and give wide, cool shade. They are also big, thirsty trees with roots that find their way into cracked pipes, drains and septic systems, weak wood that drops branches, a constant rain of twigs and leaves, and a short life for a tree, usually 30 to 50 years. A weeping willow is a great choice for a large property with a pond or a wet low spot at least 50 feet from any building or pipe. In a typical suburban yard, a smaller weeping tree is usually a better choice.
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The trees sold as weeping willows are Salix babylonica, from China, or more often golden weeping willow (Salix × sepulcralis ‘Chrysocoma’), a hardier hybrid with yellow twigs. Both grow 30 to 50 feet tall and just as wide. S. babylonica is hardy in zones 6 to 8, and the hybrids in about zones 4 to 9.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Graceful, weeping shape | Roots invade cracked pipes, drains and septic systems |
| Very fast growth | Too big for most yards |
| Thrives in wet, soggy soil | Weak wood that breaks in storms |
| Wide, cool shade | Drops twigs, leaves and catkins all year |
| Easy to grow, even from cuttings | Short-lived, often 30 to 50 years |
| Early catkins feed bees | Prone to cankers, scab and pests |
| Needs a lot of water |
Pros of Weeping Willow Trees
1. A Graceful, Unique Shape
Nothing else looks quite like a mature weeping willow. Its long, slender branches sweep down to the ground in a green curtain that moves in the slightest breeze, and it is especially beautiful next to water. The narrow leaves are among the first to come out in spring and among the last to fall in autumn, when they turn yellow. Golden weeping willow has bright yellow twigs that stand out in winter.
2. Very Fast Growth
Weeping willows are among the fastest-growing trees you can plant. With plenty of water and sun, young trees often grow 3 to 8 feet a year, so a small whip can become a real shade tree in five to ten years. If you want a large tree quickly, few others come close.
3. They Thrive in Wet Soil
Most trees die in waterlogged soil, but willows love it. A weeping willow is one of the best trees for the edge of a pond, a stream bank or a soggy low spot where water collects. Its dense roots hold stream banks and pond edges against erosion, and it soaks up large amounts of water from wet ground.
4. Wide, Cool Shade
A mature weeping willow can spread 35 to 50 feet wide, and the space under its hanging branches is a cool, sheltered room in summer. The shade is dappled rather than dense, so it is pleasant to sit under. Keep in mind that lawn grass often struggles under a willow because of the shade and the competition from its roots.
5. Easy to Grow, Even From Cuttings
Weeping willows tolerate a wide range of soils, from sand to clay, and acid to slightly alkaline. They need full sun and plenty of water, and little else. They are also one of the easiest trees to propagate: a branch cut in late winter and pushed into moist soil, or stood in a bucket of water, will usually root within a few weeks.
6. Early Catkins Feed Bees
Willows flower in early spring, with fuzzy catkins that appear with or just before the leaves. They are one of the first big sources of pollen and nectar of the year for honey bees, bumblebees and other pollinators just coming out of winter.
Cons of Weeping Willow Trees
1. Roots That Invade Pipes and Drains
The biggest problem with weeping willows is their roots. They are shallow, spread well beyond the branches and seek out water. They don’t usually break intact pipes, but they find their way into any crack or loose joint in sewer lines, drains and septic systems, then grow inside and block them. They can also lift sidewalks and patios and dry out clay soil under foundations. Plant a weeping willow at least 50 feet from buildings, pipes, septic fields and swimming pools.
2. Too Big for Most Yards
Weeping willows grow 30 to 50 feet tall and just as wide, and much of that width is hanging branches that sweep the ground. On a normal suburban lot one tree can take over the whole yard, shade out the garden and hang over the neighbors or the street. If you like the look but don’t have the space, see our list of smaller trees similar to weeping willow.
3. Weak Wood That Breaks
Fast growth comes with soft, brittle wood. Weeping willows often lose large branches in wind, snow and ice storms, and old trees can split at the trunk. That makes them a poor windbreak and a risk near houses, driveways, play areas and power lines. Have a large willow checked by a certified arborist, especially if it is near anything that could be damaged.
4. A Constant Mess
Weeping willows drop something almost all year: catkins in spring, twigs and small branches all summer after every windy day, and a heavy fall of leaves in autumn. The debris clogs gutters, pool filters and pond pumps, and you will need to pick up twigs before you mow.
5. A Short Life
Most weeping willows live 30 to 50 years, which is short for a large tree, compared with a century or more for many oaks and maples. As they age, decay, cankers and storm damage build up, and removing a large, declining willow near a house can be expensive.
6. Diseases and Pests
Weeping willows are prone to several diseases, especially in wet, humid weather. Willow scab and black canker, which together cause willow blight, blacken young leaves and shoots. Cytospora and other cankers kill branches, and crown gall causes swellings at the base. Insect pests include aphids, willow leaf beetles, borers, scale insects and spongy moth (formerly gypsy moth) caterpillars. Good air circulation, removing dead wood and keeping the tree well watered help, and healthy trees usually survive attacks.
7. They Need a Lot of Water
A weeping willow uses a large amount of water. In dry climates or dry spells it drops leaves and becomes more prone to pests and diseases, so it needs regular deep watering away from a natural water source. It also competes with lawns and nearby plants for water.
Is a Weeping Willow Right for Your Yard?
- Plant one if you have a large property, a pond, a stream or a wet low area, and a spot at least 50 feet from buildings, pipes and septic systems.
- Choose something else if your yard is small, your water or sewer lines run under it, you rely on a septic system nearby, or you live in a dry climate.
- Prune in late winter to remove dead, broken or crossing branches, and cut the hanging branches back to head height where you need to walk or mow underneath.
- Water deeply in dry spells, especially for the first few years.
For the same weeping look in a smaller package, try a Kilmarnock willow, a weeping cherry or a weeping Japanese maple. See our list of trees similar to weeping willow.
