October 10, 2024, 11:16 am | Read time: 4 minutes
With its typical drooping branches, the weeping willow is an absolute eye-catcher. As it can grow up to 20 meters high, it is only suitable for large gardens.
If you want to plant a weeping willow in your garden, you need a lot of space. This is because the tree, with its picturesquely drooping branches, can be quite wide, with a diameter of up to 15 meters. It is most striking when planted alone and is commonly found in parks, alongside streams or ponds, or in open meadows.
The weeping willow (Salix alba ‘Tristis’) is a cultivar of the white willow that was first cultivated in France in 1815. The cultivar name ‘Tristis’ comes from Latin and means “sad.” In addition to this well-known weeping willow, there is also the true weeping willow (Salix babylonica), which is not the subject of this article.
Overview
Appearance and growth
The weeping willow is a deciduous, fast-growing tree that can grow up to 20 meters high. The yellow, slender catkins appear together with the foliage in April. Its drooping branches and narrow leaves up to ten centimeters long, which turn yellow-green in autumn, have earned it the name “Weeping Golden Willow.”
Planting weeping willow
The best time to plant a weeping willow is spring. The stately tree is at its best in a solitary position. After planting, thorough watering will help the tree to grow. The weeping willow needs the support of a watering can, especially at first.
Location and soil
Weeping willows thrive best in sunny or semi-shady locations. The soil should be deep, humus-rich, nutrient-rich, and fresh to moist.
Underplanting is difficult because the weeping willow has a far-reaching and superficial root system. The roots are also the reason why the trees should not be planted near paths or buildings.
Varieties
The Salix alba ‘Tristis Resistenta’ variety is characterized, above all, by its resistance to various fungal diseases.
Caring for weeping willow
Salix alba ‘Tristis’ is not only very robust but also very easy to care for.
Watering
The weeping willow requires a significant amount of water. The soil should always be kept sufficiently moist, especially when the plant is growing.
Fertilization
A portion of compost or a slow-release fertilizer provides the weeping willow with all the necessary nutrients in spring.
Pruning
Weeping willows do not necessarily need pruning, but they are very tolerant of it. For nature conservation reasons, heavy pruning may only be carried out between October and March, February being the best month. Minor pruning can be carried out at any time.
Propagation
The simplest method to propagate Salix alba ‘Tristis’ is through cuttings. If you have pruned weeping willows in February, you can use the cuttings for propagation. To do this, cut several cuttings about 25 centimeters long from a cane and stick them about 20 centimeters deep into the soil in a suitable place. If the soil is kept well moist, the roots will develop after a short time. Alternatively, the cuttings can also be rooted in a glass of water and planted later.
Overwintering
The weeping willow is hardy and does not need any special protection in winter.
Toxicity
The weeping willow is considered non-toxic.
Alternatives
An attractive alternative to the weeping willow is the weeping beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’). This cultivar of the European beech has a similarly picturesque appearance to Salix alba ‘Tristis,’ with its gracefully overhanging branches.
The drooping catkin willow (Salix caprea ‘Pendula’) is a favored choice. It is a variety of the Sal willow and, with a maximum height of 1.5 meters, is a good choice for small gardens or front gardens.
Bee friendliness
With its early flowers, the weeping willow is a sought-after food source for wild bees, hoverflies, butterflies, and beetles. Its leaves also serve as a food plant for many caterpillars.
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Diseases and pests
The most common disease that weeping willows have to contend with is Marssonina disease. This is a fungal disease that initially manifests itself as small leaf spots and can lead to crippled and dried leaves and shoots as well as leaf drop. At the first signs, the affected shoots should be cut off. Fallen leaves should also be removed.
Common pests that affect weeping willows include spider mites and aphids. However, these do not usually cause any major damage.
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