Weeping Willow Tree

Weeping Willow Landscape

Last updated on June 20th, 2026 at 10:28 am

Weeping Willow Tree (Salix babylonica)

The Weeping Willow is a beautiful landscape tree that can add a graceful, dramatic look to Southwest gardens. Its long, flowing branches cascade toward the ground, creating a soft, elegant appearance that stands out in almost any landscape.

This fast-growing deciduous tree can reach approximately 50 feet tall and 40 feet wide at maturity, so be sure to plant it where it has plenty of room to grow. It is considered one of the quickest-growing shade trees for the Southwest.

Unlike many desert-adapted trees, the Weeping Willow is not drought tolerant and requires regular watering to stay healthy. It performs best in areas with consistently moist soil and should be planted away from locations where water is limited.

The tree thrives in full sun, where it develops its best shape and growth rate, but it can also tolerate light shade. During the fall and winter months, the leaves drop, making it a deciduous tree.

If you have enough space and can provide adequate water, the Weeping Willow can become a stunning focal point in your landscape, offering beauty, shade, and rapid growth for many years.

Weeping Willow Tree.

Weeping Willow Landscape
A great-looking Weeping Willow next to a small lake. Image by Thomas H. from Pixabay

Give it plenty of space to grow and place it where water drains after heavy monsoon rains.  It is a good idea to plant a stand-alone tree in front of a large yard.  It provides lots of shade for those looking for a good shade tree.

Weeping Willow problems

The weeping willow tree is susceptible to borers, especially the emerald ash borer.   Borers will bore a hole into the tree, usually followed by clear Sap. Purchase borer control from your local nursery. Its soft wood makes it easy for most borers to penetrate its limbs and trunk.

How Fast will a Weeping Willow grow?

The Weeping Willow is a large tree that grows super fast. With regular watering and fertilizing, it can double its size in just one year. But because of its rapid growth, it often sheds old limbs and branches. That means you’ll need to spend a lot of time cleaning up and maintaining it during the growing season.

When to Prune a Willow Tree?

As mentioned before, these trees grow fast, and It’s best to prune in late winter or early summer for new vigorous growth.  Trimming or pruning willow trees is a big job, especially when they reach 50 ft. tall and wide.  It is wise to hire a good tree-trimming expert to help you do the job.  Smaller, younger trees are easier to do for the do-it-yourself homeowner.

It’s best to prune dead or dying limbs.  Limbs or branches that are close to power lines should be trimmed by a professional tree trimmer.  Your local electrical power company may prune your trees at no cost if they are truly interfering with your power lines. Here are more tree pruning tips. 

Weeping Willow Landscape

Weeping Willow Tree Problems

One major issue with weeping willows is their vulnerability to willow borers. Why does this happen? It’s because their wood is soft, which makes it an easy target. These pests, known scientifically as Cryptorhynchus lapathi, are a common threat to these trees.  Learn more about these borers at HomeGuidesSFgate.com

Learn more about Southwest trees.

 

Desert Willow Tree

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