Weeping Willow

Salix babylonica

        

          

All photographs are copyrighted and are the property of E. Brunner.

Family:  Salicaceae

Native or Introduced to Illinois:  introduced

Leaf:  The leaves of this tree are long and narrow, most between 2-½ and 6 inches long and ½ inch wide. Slightly wider near the base. Light green with a finely toothed margin..

Flower:  Yellow, borne on short catkins blooming April-May.

Fruit:  This tree produces a fruit ¼ inch in diameter, brown in color.

Twig/Bark:   Species has long, slender, drooping, yellowish or brownish glabrous twigs.

Size/Form/Shape:   Graceful and refined, easily recognized by its open crown of ground-sweeping branches. Leaves are light green above, grayish-green beneath. This willow grows especially well near water, reaches 30' - 40' tall, 35' spread.

Other:  The Weeping Willow is dramatic both in appearance and history. Few trees add as much grace to the landscape. Early in the history of interstate commerce, cuttings from this popular species were carried along the trade routes from China. Its occurrence along the Euphrates River eventually fooled the famous botanist, Linnaeus, into thinking this was the Willow of biblical mention, so he gave it the scientific name of babylonica. Later, it was the shade of a Weeping Willow that helped comfort Napoleon during his exile on the Island of St. Helena. After Napoleon was buried under his favorite tree, cuttings from it became a valued prize among his admirers worldwide.

Species grows rapidly, but comparably short-lived.

This species can be propagated by cuttings.

County Distribution Map for Illinois:  

Sources for the Sullivan Middle School Tree Identification Guide were obtained though the use of the following sites:

• Illinois Plant Information Network (ILPIN) @ http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/delaware/ilpin/ilpin.html#Background
• List of Woody Plants Native or Naturalized in Illinois @ http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/~kenr/woody.html
• Tree Species @ http://ostermiller.org/tree/species.html
• Index to Eastern/Central Trees @ http://www.arborday.org/trees/ECtreelist.html
• ISU Forestry Extension Identification of Common Trees of Iowa @ http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/tree/
• Key to Leaves of Virginia Trees @ http://www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/forsite/key/intro.htm
• List of Native Trees for Use Along Roadsides in Illinois @ http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/~kenr/treetable.html
• The PLANTS Database @ http://plants.usda.gov/
• http://www.arborday.org/treeguide/nitree.cfm?id=30

The information below is from the National Arbor Day Foundation.  This information can be viewed in the original (source) form by visiting The National Arbor Day Foundation at http://www.arborday.org.

GROWING REQUIREMENTS/RATE
Sun Exposure:  This willow does well in Full sun.
Soil Type:  The Weeping Willow grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, rich, clay, sandy, wet, well-drained, wide range of soils. This tree is drought tolerant.
Moisture:  Weeping Willow grows well near water, yet has some drought tolerance.
Growth Rate:  This tree grows at a fast growth rate.

Hardiness Zones:  5 - 8
This willow can be expected to grow in the zones shown in color in the arborday.org zone map.