Golden weeping willow | Salix alba 'Tristis'

Family (English) Willow
Family (botanic) Salicaceae
Planting site Residential and parks
Tree or plant type Tree
Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native locale Non-native
Size range Large tree (more than 40 feet)
Mature height 75-100 feet
Mature width 50-100 feet
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil, Wet soil
Other tolerances Alkaline soil, clay soil, Occasional flooding, Road salt, Wet sites
Season of interest late winter, early spring, early fall, mid fall
Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous
Shape or form Weeping
Growth rate Fast
Transplants well Yes
Planting considerations Highly susceptible to ice damage, Roots prone to invading sewer pipes, Weak wood and branch structure
Wildlife Birds, Insect pollinators
Has cultivars Yes

More Information

Size and Form

Golden weeping willow is an upright willow that gets 50 to 75 feet tall and wide.

Native Geographic Location and Habitat

It is native to central and southern Europe, western Siberia, and central Asia.

Pollinators and Wildlife

This shrub attracts birds and insect pollinators.

Bark Description

It has brown to yellow-brown bark that is corky and furrowed.

Leaf Description

Leaves are alternate, 1 to 4 inches long, slender, lanceolate, and finely toothed. They are bright green to dark green and change to yellow in the fall. Willows are one of the first plants to leaf out in spring.

Flower Description

This is a dioecious species. The tree has male and female flowers born in upright catkins. Only the male flowers are showy and are insect pollinated.

Fruit Description

It has fruits that are two-valved capsules.

Care Knowledge

Plant Care

Golden weeping willow grows best in full sun to partial shade and in moist or wet areas.

It is moderately sensitive to drought conditions. Provide with supplemental water in dry periods. This tree will benefit with a layer of mulch to moderate soil temperature and conserve moisture.

It is pH adaptable.

Prune it in the summer to late fall. This tree has a shallow root system.

Pests, Diseases, and Tolerances

Golden weeping willow is susceptible to ice and windstorm damage. There are numerous insects and disease problems including cankers, powdery mildew, leaf spots, willow leaf beetle, and scale insects.