Pronounciation: SAY-licks ba-baa-LOW-ni-ca

Hardiness zones
Sunset All zones
USDA All Zones

Landscape Use: Shade tree, dominant textural accent to focal point suggesting proximity to large water features, large greenspaces or turf.

Form & Character: Large, visually imposing, spreading and strongly pendulous, mesic tree that suggests the near presence of water.

Growth Habit: Deciduous, woody, broadleaf (actually leaves are quite narrow) perennial tree, rapid growth, potentially to 30 to 50 feet with equal of greater spread, though usually 30 feet in lower desert.

Foliage/Texture: Leaves are light green, narrowly linear to 6-inches long (longer than Salix matsudana, finely serrate. Branches slender and strongly pendulous; fine texture.

Flowers & Fruits: Small, catkin-like dusty white to pale yellow flowers, small and inconspicuous; fruit inconspicuous too.

Seasonal Color: Weeping willow produces a dependable yellow fall color in temperate climates. In Phoeinx however, the yellow leaf color during late fall is not a dependable seasonal accent.

Temperature: Hardy to winter cold. Tolerates summer desert heat as long as there is ample greenery and water around.

Light: Full sun

Soil: Tolerant

Watering: Regular supplemental water is a must!

Pruning: Elevate canopy base, structurally train vigorously when young, trim pendulous branches to desired height.

Propagation: Cutting

Disease and Pests: None

Additional comments: Weeping willow is not common in Phoenix being only sometimes seen in large greenspaces near urban lakes or waterways. The cultivar 'Tortuosa' (cork screw willow) has twisting pendulous young stems giving it a unique appearance. Salix matsudana is more drought tolerant and a better willow species for use in all Arizona landscape situations.