Weeping Willow Ornamental Tree (Salix Babylonica 'Weeping Willow')

Weeping Willow Ornamental Tree Description

The Weeping Willow is a large, elegant deciduous tree with long, sweeping branches and a distinctive weeping form that creates a striking feature in the landscape. Known for its soft, flowing branches, it’s often planted near water where its reflection enhances its visual impact. Mature weeping willows can reach up to 15–20 metres (49–65 feet) in height with a wide, graceful canopy spread of up to 15 metres, making it a popular choice for spacious gardens, parks, and waterside settings.

In early spring, the weeping willow produces slender, pendulous branches covered in narrow, light-green leaves that grow up to 10 centimetres long. The foliage turns a warm yellow in autumn, adding seasonal beauty before it drops. The willow also develops small, yellow catkins in spring, which attract pollinators such as bees, supporting local biodiversity.

The delicate movement of its cascading branches in the breeze makes it a serene addition to any landscape. Planted near ponds or rivers, the branches often dip towards the water’s surface, creating a tranquil and picturesque scene.

Pruning Advice

Weeping willows generally require minimal pruning to maintain their natural shape, but they do benefit from regular attention to remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Prune in late winter or early spring when the tree is dormant to allow it to recover fully before the growing season. Light trimming of new growth in summer may be done to shape the tree, especially if its spread needs managing in smaller gardens.

Willows are vigorous growers, so checking for any suckers at the base and promptly removing them will help the tree maintain a strong central form. It’s advisable to remove any weak or overcrowded branches to improve air circulation within the canopy, which helps prevent diseases and encourages healthy growth.

Further Information

Ornamental Appeal: The weeping willow’s graceful silhouette adds elegance to any setting, especially effective along water edges where it reflects beautifully.

Wildlife Habitat: The dense canopy provides excellent shelter for birds, while the spring catkins attract pollinators, enhancing local biodiversity.

Erosion Control: With its strong root system, the weeping willow helps stabilise soil along riverbanks and ponds, reducing erosion and enhancing soil health.

Shade Provider: Its broad canopy offers cooling shade, creating an ideal spot for relaxing on warmer days and adding a natural focal point in the garden.

Delivery & Returns

Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:

* Standard Sized Boxes (Bare root up to 1.2m tall & pots up to 7.5L) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £9.98 charge.

* Tall Sized Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m & over) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £24.99 charge.

* Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £350 | or £82 charge.

* Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £1500 | or £450 charge.