365 Urban Species. Species #028: Weeping Willow

Urban species #028: Weeping willow Salix babylonica*

Native to China, this large, spreading tree is appreciated for it's unusual, drooping branches. This form can be artificially cultivated in other urban trees, such as cherry, but naturally occurs in the weeping willow. Often planted in city parks near water, it is an uncommonly thirsty tree. Ducks may nest in its vast spreading root structure, squirrels den in cavities in the wide trunk, the canopy of dangling branches gently sweeping the ground invite a picnic. Though exotic, weeping willow is not considered invasive in the United States, except Hawaii.

( two large photographs )

*The trees in these photographs are probably golden weeping willow, Salix x sepulcralis 'Chrysocoma', a hybrid that is cold-tolerant and can grow much taller than S. babylonica.