Botanical name: Salix babylonica

  • Cold hardiness zones: 6-8 (though it can sometimes be found in zones 4 or 5)
  • Soil pH: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.5)
  • Watering needs: High, thrives in wet or consistently moist soil conditions. Flood tolerant. Once established, it can be drought tolerant, but will lose leaves to conserve moisture.
  • Food forest layer: Canopy layer due to its large size
  • Blooming Season: Early spring
  • Seeding age: Generally, weeping willows are grown for their aesthetic appeal and shade, not for fruit production.
  • Age of maturity (full size and peak fruiting): Reaches full size within 15-20 years
  • Average mature yield: Not applicable for food purposes
  • Pollination for Fruit: Not applicable
  • Size at maturity: Can reach up to 30-50 feet tall and wide
  • Sun needs: Full sun to partial shade
  • Preferred habitat: Naturally found near water bodies like rivers and lakes; adaptable to various soil types as long as moisture is abundant
  • Growth rate (vigor): Fast
  • Natural reproductive rate (and methods): High, primarily through cuttings and root suckers
  • Propagation method: Cuttings are the most common and effective method
  • Average life span: 30 to 50 years under optimal conditions
  • Good companion plants: Best planted where there will one day be shade-loving plants, since it will make an abundance of shade. Before it reaches mature size, annuals can be grown around the base, and it can be paired with water-loving perennials or shrubs in a spacious landscape. Their size and relatively short lifespan make them excellent succession trees to jump-start a food forest, to one day be replaced by other longer-lived canopy trees, such as nuts and black cherry.
  • Plant family: Salicaceae
  • Taproot: Yes, deep and extensive root system
  • Predators: Susceptible to pests like aphids and diseases such as powdery mildew and willow scab
  • Other common problems/solutions: Regular watering is crucial; soil should not be allowed to dry out. Pruning to manage size and remove dead or diseased wood.

Notes:

  • Ecological functions/uses: The weeping willow is great for making homemade rooting hormone for propagating other plants (see instructions below). They are wonderfully ornamental, and can be used for erosion control, bog suppression/cleanup (they drink a lot of water, and evapotrasporate it into the air) wildlife habitat/shelter. Planted where water excessively accumulates, these guys are rockstars.
  • Craft/utility uses: Weeping willows might be the best species on earth for simple basket making. They can also be used for similar weaving projects, such as fencing, netting, etc. They make a good core for wreaths, braided crafts, and garden decor. They can be used to weave living fence that (unlike most fences) get stronger with age (see directions below).
  • Food Flavor/Taste: The inner bark is said to be bitter and is mainly used for survival situations rather than culinary purposes.
  • Cautions: Its extensive root system can interfere with underground pipes, foundations, and sidewalks. Planting distance from structures should be considered.

Sources: Typically, information on weeping willows can be found on horticultural sites, university extension services, and botanic garden publications.

Propagating Weeping Willow

Food Forest Plants

Propagating Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica) is a straightforward process, often successful due to the tree’s vigorous growth rate and high rooting potential. Here are the primary methods for propagating this species:

1. Cuttings:

  • Time of Year: Late winter or early spring, just before the tree breaks dormancy, is the ideal time to take cuttings.
  • How to Take Cuttings: Select healthy, young branches from the previous year’s growth. Cuttings should be about 1-2 feet long and about the thickness of a pencil. Make sure to cut at an angle to increase the surface area for rooting.
  • Preparation: Remove leaves and buds from the bottom two-thirds of each cutting to prevent rot and to ensure energy is directed towards root development.
  • Rooting Medium: While weeping willow cuttings can root in water, planting them directly into moist soil or a sand-peat mix can encourage stronger root systems. Ensure the medium is consistently moist but not waterlogged.
  • Planting: Insert about two-thirds of the cutting’s length into the soil. You can use rooting hormone to enhance rooting success, but it’s often not necessary for willows.
  • Care: Keep the soil moist. Roots and shoots should begin to appear in a few weeks. Once established and showing significant growth, they can be transplanted to their final location.

2. Layering:

  • Though less common for large trees like the weeping willow, layering can be effective, especially for lower hanging branches.
  • Method: Bend a low-hanging branch to the ground. Nick the underside of the branch where it touches the ground, apply rooting hormone, and then bury the wounded section in soil while still attached to the parent tree.
  • Securing: Use a stake or stone to keep the branch in contact with the soil.
  • Timing: It may take a full growing season or longer for the layered branch to develop sufficient roots. Once rooted, it can be cut from the parent tree and transplanted.

3. Division:

  • Root Suckers: Weeping willows often produce root suckers that can be separated from the parent tree and replanted. This is best done in late winter or early spring.
  • Process: Carefully dig around the sucker to include as much root as possible. Sever the connection to the parent tree, and transplant the sucker to a prepared site, keeping it well-watered until established.

Aftercare for All Methods:

  • Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the first few years of growth. Weeping willows thrive in wet conditions but can suffer in drought.
  • Location: Choose a planting site that accommodates the mature size of the tree, away from buildings and underground utilities due to its invasive root system.

These propagation methods can yield successful results, contributing to the expansion of your food forest or garden with beautiful weeping willows.

Would you like a recipe that uses Salix babylonica?

Rooting Hormone for Propagating Other Plants

Homemade Willow Water Rooting Hormone

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 handfuls of young willow twigs (Salix species are ideal, but ensure they are from a safe and non-toxic source)
  • 1 liter of water

Instructions:

  1. Harvest: Collect young, green twigs from a willow tree in the spring, ideally when the tree is actively growing. These parts have the highest concentrations of growth hormones.
  2. Prepare the Twigs: Cut the twigs into pieces, around 2-3 inches long. The smaller the pieces, the more surface area there will be for the salicylic acid to leach out into the water.
  3. Soak: Place the willow pieces in a container and cover them with boiling water. This helps to extract the salicylic acid more efficiently.
  4. Steep: Let the willow twigs steep in the water for 24-48 hours. This allows enough time for the salicylic acid and other growth hormones to leach out into the water, creating a potent rooting solution.
  5. Strain: After steeping, strain the mixture to remove all solid pieces, leaving you with a clear liquid.
  6. Use: To use the willow water, soak your plant cuttings in the solution for several hours or overnight before planting them in soil. Alternatively, you can water the newly planted cuttings with willow water to encourage root development.
  7. Store: Any leftover willow water can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two months. Make sure to label it clearly to avoid confusion.

This natural rooting hormone is a great way to use the natural properties of willow trees to support the propagation of your garden plants. It’s an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic rooting hormones and utilizes the regenerative powers of nature to help your cuttings thrive.

Weeping Wall (Weeping Willow Living Fence)

If you want a large green mass wall (as opposed to a fence-height fence that you might get from river willows or other short willow species), weeping willow can be a fun way to go. Be aware that their root structure gets large, so someday there won’t be space for much to grow around them. But if you have a moist property boundary that you want a solitary wall of deep green, a weeping wall (weeping willow fence) can be fun. And while much tree material may be needed for this project, there’s no reason it can’t be done over many years. And the amount of willow branches a single weeping willow produces makes it a virtual factory of fresh willow cuttings. And after a few years, the first trees propagated will become a source for more and more such branches.

Materials Needed:

  • Weeping Willow cuttings, about 6-10 feet in length and at least 1 inch in diameter.
  • Garden stakes or poles for supporting the structure initially.
  • String or plant ties.
  • Watering supplies.
  • Mulch.

Preparation:

  1. Site Selection: Choose a location that is well-suited for Weeping Willows, ideally near a water source or in a moist area, and away from septic systems, pipes, or buildings because of their invasive roots.
  2. Soil Preparation: Prepare the soil by loosening it and adding organic matter if necessary to ensure good moisture retention and drainage.

Planting and Weaving:

  1. Planting Cuttings: In early spring, plant the willow cuttings directly into the ground. Space them about 2 feet apart along the line where you want your fence to grow. Ensure at least two-thirds of the cutting is buried in the soil to encourage root development.
  2. Initial Weaving: Once your cuttings are securely planted and begin to show growth, start weaving them together. For Weeping Willow, this may require some creativity due to their drooping nature. Use garden stakes or poles placed every few feet along the fence line to support your structure. Bend and weave the growing branches around these supports and tie them loosely with string or plant ties to guide their growth in the desired direction.
  3. Maintenance Weaving: As the willows grow, continue to weave new growth horizontally or diagonally, filling in the gaps and creating a dense, intertwined fence. Regularly prune branches that grow out of your desired fence line to maintain shape and encourage thicker growth.

Care and Maintenance:

  • Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the first few growing seasons until your fence is well-established.
  • Mulching: Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of your plants to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
  • Pruning: Regular pruning not only helps shape the fence but also encourages denser foliage and a more robust structure. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
  • Monitoring: Watch for signs of pest or disease problems and address them promptly to keep your living fence healthy.

Creating a living fence with Weeping Willow requires patience and regular maintenance, especially in the early years. However, once established, it can provide a unique, natural barrier that enhances the beauty of your landscape while offering privacy and wind protection.