June Tree of the Month-Weeping Willow

 I consider the weeping willow (Salix babylonica and Salix × pendulina) Mother Nature’s friendliest tree. Those slender, graceful limbs invite you to come inside and share the willow’s personal space. What better way to spend a balmy summer afternoon than sheltered in the dappled shade of a willow’s protected embrace, listening to the babble of a nearby stream?

A few years ago, a friendly willow introduced himself to me. Saying that might prove my insanity (in writing, no doubt), but picture yourself in a nursery setting, surrounded by tables overflowing with potted botanical goodies, focusing all your attention on which leafy candidate to bring home when someone politely taps you on the shoulder. You turn to find not a salesperson or another shopper but one of those slender, graceful limbs mentioned above. And in a very cinematic style, your gaze moves slowly from the limb dancing seductively in the breeze before you to the vast canopy above, supported by the equally incredible trunk of the biggest willow your eyes have ever seen. You realize the tree is shading not just the aisle you stand in but the entire ‘shade-loving plants’ section of Rich’s Foxwillow Pines in Woodstock, Illinois, AND this particular willow that has basically just said, “Ahem, excuse me, please,” is THE willow the nursery (known for its impressive conifers) was named for.

Sadly, Rich’s Foxwillow pines is no longer in business. I have long forgotten the unique dwarf conifers, the multitude of hostas, and the colorful Japanese maples that graced that nursery’s ample yard, but I will never forget that friendly willow.

Weeping willows are another tree that has been idolized in literature, cinema, and legend. In past representations, they usually signified grief, but more recently, they represent beauty and wisdom. (Like Disney’s Grandmother Willow character in Pocahontas.) Fun fact: according to US Social Security data, there were 4727 babies named “Willow” in 2023.

In St. Louis, weeping willows planted in the moist, full-sun areas they prefer can reach 50-60’ high AND wide. The wide, weeping habit makes the weeping willow a poor choice for small spaces and any position requiring clearance under the canopy, like near walkways, streets, or 5’ from the corner of your house. (I’ve seen this!) Trying to keep a weeping willow “limbed up” like a maple or oak tree so you can mow or access your car is crazier than thinking a tree would introduce itself to you at a nursery.

Perfect placement for a weeping willow doesn’t have to be next to a reflecting pond or wandering stream, but a wide-open, full-sun space is key to living in harmony with one. Blights, cankers, powdery mildew, and leaf spot are common issues as is scale, and other insects. The slender branches can fall victim to ice and snow damage. Planting under willows with their shallow roots is difficult with anything other than ground cover. This is a tree with water-seeking roots you don’t want to plant near sewers or drains.

What I love about this plant;

-The graceful, beautiful form.

-Tolerates wet areas.

-The long history and numerous legends of the tree.

-Deer tolerant.

What’s not so great;

-Weeping willows can get HUGE. The canopy cannot be ‘limbed up’ like other trees, so keep space for mowing, walkways, and driveways when choosing a place for your new willow. They do NOT make good street trees.

-There is a reason you see weeping willow near streams, ponds, and lakes. They love moist areas. However, per experience, they do not make good rain garden plants despite what others say. The size, low, wide habit, and shallow roots make planting and growing other perennial rain garden favorites difficult. Trying to plant under a weeping willow wastes time and requires a lot of extra labor to trim the branches high enough to see the ground-level plants. Instead, a nice mulch ring or ground cover keeps the mower and weed whacker a safe distance while keeping things tidy and lush underneath. IF you want to call a solitary tree in a low, wet spot a rain garden, I won’t stop you.

-Not always a long-lived plant in the St. Louis area. Prone to numerous pest and disease issues.

-Can be considered messy with dropped branches, etc.

-Branches prone to breakage from ice and snow.

A willow blowing in the breeze can be mesmerizing;

Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com

Words and photos by Jo Batzer

© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2024, All rights reserved.