- Mature height
- 10m to 15m (approx.)
- Mature width
- 8m to 10m
Salix babylonica, the Weeping Willow, is a fast growing deciduous tree with a broad domed crown and long pendulous branchlets that sweep almost to the ground. The narrow linear leaves are soft green through the warmer months, turn butter yellow and fall, leaving a fine curtain of golden stems over winter.
It wants full sun and consistently moist ground, and does best beside dams, creeks and lake edges where the roots can find permanent water. Growth runs to roughly 1 to 2 metres a year. Fully frost hardy, it suits cool and warm temperate districts but sulks in prolonged dry soil.
Plant it in parks, on rural properties and in large open gardens where a canopy 8 to 10 metres across is an asset rather than a problem. Keep it well clear of paving, drains and septic lines. Given the space it asks for, little else delivers shade and presence so quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Weeping Willow
What is a Weeping Willow?
Salix babylonica is a large deciduous tree from the willow family, grown for its arching frame and long trailing branchlets. The fine linear foliage moves with any breeze, which is where much of its appeal comes from. It is not an Australian native, and it has been planted here for well over a century in parks and beside water.
How big does a Weeping Willow grow?
Expect 10 to 15 metres in height with a spread of 8 to 10 metres in open ground with reliable moisture. The canopy is broad and domed rather than upright, so width matters as much as height when you are siting it. Plants in drier positions or restricted soil volumes will sit at the lower end of that range.
How fast does it grow?
Around 1 to 2 metres a year once established, which makes it one of the quickest shade trees available. That speed depends on water. In moist soil with full sun it romps away, and a young tree can look settled within three or four seasons. On dry sites growth slows noticeably and the canopy stays thinner.
Is it evergreen or deciduous?
Deciduous. The leaves yellow and drop through the colder months, leaving the bare weeping framework visible, which many people consider the tree at its most graceful. New growth breaks early in spring, often before other deciduous trees. Plan for leaf litter in autumn if the tree overhangs a pond or a lawn you like to keep clean.
Does it have invasive roots?
Yes. Willow roots are vigorous and water seeking, so they will find drains, septic systems and irrigation lines if those are close by. Keep the tree at least 10 to 15 metres from buildings, paving and services. In parkland and beside farm dams this is rarely a concern, though it is worth avoiding natural creek lines where willows can spread.
Where does it grow best in Australia?
Cool and warm temperate regions suit it best, so Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, inland and coastal New South Wales, the Adelaide Hills and southern Western Australia. It handles cold winters without trouble. In hot dry inland areas it will still grow well provided irrigation is reliable. Humid tropical zones are less suitable.
How do I care for a Weeping Willow?
Water deeply and often for the first two summers, then rely on natural moisture if the tree sits near water. Mulch the root zone and keep grass off the trunk. Prune in late winter to lift the skirt and remove crossing or damaged limbs. Willows shed small branches, so an annual tidy keeps the frame strong and the shape balanced.