How to Plant and Grow Weeping Willow

Most people recognize a graceful weeping willow tree (Salix babylonica) from a distance by its long branches that hang to the ground. This large deciduous tree is beloved for its brilliant yellow fall color and ability to grow in moist, boggy soil. Weeping willows grow into large trees in a short time. Best reserved for natural planting areas and large, open spaces, a weeping willow suits an acreage or farm. Its beauty doubles when you can see it reflected in a pond.

Where to Plant Weeping Willow

There’s nothing quite like a weeping willow, but the tree needs a large, preferably damp, location to thrive. Weeping willow grows fast—as much as 3 to 4 feet a year—so consider its mature size of up to 50 feet when choosing a planting location. Opt for a site that receives full sun to partial shade.

How and When to Plant Weeping Willow

Plant a weeping willow nursery plant in the fall to give it time for its roots to establish before spring. Dig a hole twice as wide but the same height as the tree’s container. Remove the tree from the container and set it in the middle of the hole. Fill the hole halfway with soil amended with organic matter and add a couple of gallons of water. Fill the remaining half of the hole with soil and lightly tamp down.

Water the tree weekly during the first growing season to encourage a robust root system. Deer tend to eat its tender new growth, so fence young trees.

Weeping Willow Care Tips

Light

Weeping willow trees thrive in full sun but tolerate partial shade in the hottest areas. They need at least four hours of sun daily.

Soil and Water

Weeping willow trees acclimate to many soil conditions: wet and boggy, well-drained, or even a little dry, but they grow especially well near ponds and streams, where the soil is often too moist for other tree species.

Temperature and Humidity

Although the tree prefers full sun, in the warmest growing zones, weeping willows benefit from partial shade during the hottest part of the day. Weeping willow trees thrive in humid areas.

Fertilizer

Weeping willow trees don’t usually need fertilizer to be healthy. If your tree’s leaves look washed out, but it is receiving sufficient water, apply a granular, slow-release 20-20-20 fertilizer in spring, following the product directions.

Pruning

Prune a weeping willow tree during winter while it is dormant. It is easier to spot any damaged or rubbing branches when the leaves are off the tree. Also, trim the tips of any branches dragging on the ground.

Pests and Problems

A variety of pests plague this tree. Blights, powdery mildew, leaf spots, and cankers are all common. Insect pests include aphids, scale, borers, lace bugs, and caterpillars. Because of its weak wood, weeping willows are susceptible to cracking, and branches can be damaged in wind, snow, and ice. Litter from leaves, twigs, and branches can be a nuisance in landscapes. Also, the weeping willow’s shallow roots make it tough to garden underneath the tree.

How to Propagate Weeping Willow

The best way to propagate a weeping willow tree is with a stem cutting taken in late winter or very early spring.

1. Select a permanent location for the cutting.
2. Dig a hole and loosen the soil to about 18 inches deep and wide.
3. While the tree is dormant, take a stem cutting about 18 inches long.
4. Plant the bottom 6 to 8 inches of the cutting in the prepared hole.
5. Firm the soil around the cutting and water it.

Keep the area moist; the cutting will root in a few weeks and begin leafing out in spring.

Types of Weeping Willow

There are several types of weeping willows.

Babylon Weeping Willow

Salix babylonica ‘Babylon’ is the most common weeping willow in the United States. It has a broad, weeping habit and is particularly attractive at the edge of a pond with its branches weeping down to touch the water. This large tree is difficult to fit into a typical residential landscape. It needs a lot of room.

Wisconsin Weeping Willow

The Wisconsin weeping willow (Salix x pendulina ‘Elegantissima’) has green leaves that change to greenish-yellow in the fall, and it produces yellow catkins in late spring and early summer. It naturalizes easily in most sections of the United States, where it tolerates deer but not dry soil. It is useful for erosion control.

Golden Weeping Willow

The green leaves of the golden weeping willow (Salix alba ‘Tristis’) grow on bright yellow twigs before turning golden in the fall for an outstanding display. This tree has relatively weak branches that are susceptible to high winds, a situation that calls for more-than-average cleanup during the growing season.

Weeping Willow Companion Plants

Pair weeping willow with other trees and shrubs that thrive in moist soil to create a wildlife-friendly habitat.

Hackberry

Hackberry is a native tree that looks best in a naturalized landscape with other resilient trees. It isn’t picky about site conditions and tolerates a range of wet to dry soils. Hackberry produces edible fruit that attracts birds and wildlife in fall. Zones 2–9

Downy Serviceberry

Downy serviceberry thrives in native woodlands. It produces small white flowers very early in spring, providing the first nectar of the season for many birds. The birds also enjoy the subsequent berries that appear. This tree’s fall foliage is a delightful mix of orange, red, and gold. Zones 4–9

Black Chokeberry

Black chokeberry is a low-maintenance native shrub that can withstand wet conditions along streams and ponds. Its attractive white flowers bloom in spring. They are followed by tart black berries that provide a food source for wildlife. In the fall, the green leaves turn a bright red-to-burgundy color. Zones 3–8

Gray Dogwood

Gray dogwood is a North American native that is excellent for naturalizing in difficult areas, such as near ponds and stream banks. The shrub gets its name from its reddish-brown bark that matures to gray. In the spring, the shrub is covered with white flowers that are less impressive than many other dogwoods, but they are followed in the summer by attractive white fruit. It grows 10-15 feet tall and wide. Zones 4-8