SelecTree

A Tree Selection Guide

WEEPING WILLOW

Salix babylonica

FAMILY Salicaceae

SYNONYMS

ADDITIONAL COMMON NAMES

CHINESE WEEPING WILLOW

BABYLON WEEPING WILLOW

PEKING WILLOW

See: all Salixor Champion
Photo locations: Descanso Gardens - La Canada Flintridge, CA, Stanford, CA, Lotusland - Santa Barbara, CA, Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA
by M. Ritter, J. Yost, W. Mark, J. Reimer

GENERAL INFO

Native to China, Salix babylonica adds a striking and picturesque charm to any landscape. This tree is iconic for its sprawling, lush canopy of downward-arching branches and feathery foliage. Its narrow, delicate leaves are bright green and finely-toothed on the margins. During blooms, male and female flowers are produced in separate catkins. This fast-growing tree thrives in large gardens and parks along streams and bodies of water, offering shade and a touch of elegance. It attracts bee pollinators and butterflies for food and larvae habitat. However, it is best planted away from urban settings due to its extensive, and potentially invasive, root system.
Native range: ChinaHorticultural use: Riparian

TREE CHARACTERISTICS

Tree Shape: RoundedFoliage Type: DeciduousMaximum Tree Height: 50 feetCanopy Width: 30-50 feetGrowth Rate: ~36 in/yearLeaf Arrangement and Leaf Form: Alternate, SimpleLeaf Shape: LinearLeaf color: GreenFall Color: YesFlowers: InconspicuousFlower Time: SpringFruit: Very Small Brown CapsuleFruiting time: SummerBark Color: Dark Brown, FissuredLitter Type: Dry Fruit, Twigs

SITE CONDITIONS

Recommended Planting Area: Greater than 7'Water Use Rating: HighSunset Climate Zone: 3 - 24Shade Tolerance: NoUSDA Hardiness Zone: 6, 7, 8, 9Soil Texture: Loam or Sand or ClaySoil pH: Very Acidic to Very AlkalineSalt Tolerance: ModerateWind Resistance: Lowest

CONSIDERATIONS

Branch Strength: WeakRoot Damage Potential: HighPotential health issues: AllergyBiogenic Emissions: HighDisease and Pest susceptibility: Anthracnose, Willow Blight, Armillaria, Phytophthora, Root Rot and Invasive Shot Hole Borer, Aphids, Beetle Borers, CaterpillarsDisease Resistance and Pest Resistance: VerticilliumUtility Friendly: NoWCISA Appraisal: Suggested LCANT 24" box, Suggested LCANT 24" box, Group Rating 4, Approx. cross sectional area 4.75 sq. in.

External Resources

WikipediaiNaturalistKew

CITE THIS TREE

"SelecTree. UFEI. "Salix babylonica Tree Record." 1995-2025. Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo. Accessed on May 7, 2025."
< https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/1299 >

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