How to Plant a Weeping Willow: [Complete Guide + Images]

The weeping willow, Salix Babylonica, Originally from China, as its name indicates , it is considered the tree of melancholy because of its very shape, as it is a plant whose branches are shaped like flexible, pendulous tears that reach the ground.

It is a beautiful deciduous specimen that reaches 15 meters in length and whose olive green leaves can be infused to cure rheumatism, neuralgia, headaches, dysmenorrhea, colds, flu and biliary disorders.

It is said that the Greek physician Hippocrates wrote about the healing properties of this plant , in the 5th century.

It is associated with melancholy, water, the sun and the gift of fertility; a tea from its leaves can be of great help to achieve tranquility at the time of rest.

Important points when planting a weeping willow:

When? The ideal season to plant the weeping willow is spring .
Where? In large areas where there is abundant sun.
How much can you measure? More than 15 meters.
Demanding care? Young weeping willows should be pruned once a week to strengthen the trunk.
How to prepare the land? Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and use potting soil.
How do we water? As it is amoisture-loving tree , it must be watered frequently.
Plagues and diseases? Caterpillars , aphids and aphids , as well as other insects that parasitize it.
How long does it take to grow? Willow is not one of the fastest growing trees, so it can take 10-15 years to provide good shade.

When to plant a weeping willow?

The best time to plant the weeping willow is spring, but in Spain root trees are usually transplanted in January or February, because that is when the sap is stopped and that way they do not suffer.

Where to plant a weeping willow?

The weeping willow tree looks good along bodies of water ; forming a landscape of immeasurable beauty where you can see the branches touching the water.

As it is a tree that can measure fifteen meters high and 10 to 20 meters in diameter , the willow must be planted in large areas , its ideal location being the one where it receives the greatest amount of sun possible.

In these wide spaces you will need to find a place away from any object susceptible to movement, since its roots are aggressive and can reach up to twenty meters long.

It is not advisable to plant them in residential areas, Despite its beauty, due to the fragility of its branches that break easily, in addition to the fact that the roots can damage pipes or other urban structures.

The weeping willow is used to protect agricultural crops against the winds , so the arrangement of several trees in a row for this purpose is known as a » windbreaker «.

However, if you want to plant it in your garden you must choose a suitable planting area with good drainage and plenty of sun.

Willows are very easy to plant; you need to dig a wide hole and make sure to surround the root ball with plenty of soil.

You should also make sure to water it fairly frequently, and fertilize it every so often.

How do we prepare the land?

The first thing you should do is dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball, that is, the earth adhering to the roots of the plant , because that way you will stimulate the growth of the roots.

In this process you should use regular potting soil and put the soil in the hole up to the middle of the root ball.

Willows are very prone to land close to water , but they can also grow very well in dry soil.

How do we water the weeping willow?

The weeping willow is a lover of moisture, so the first year we must water it frequently.

After the first year, you can water it less frequently, but you should be careful that the soil under the tree is not dry .

If you notice that the soil turns brown or that many leaves fall in spring or summer , you should increase the frequency of watering.

How do we plant a weeping willow step by step?

You must place the tree in the middle of the hole, very well upright, because if you place it inclined towards one of the sides, it is likely that the roots will not take root properly.
Then fill it halfway with soil; Use potting soil, do not ram the soil to avoid interference with drainage.
Since willows love water, now you need to pour eight liters of water on the ground evenly.
Finally, after watering the first layer of soil, you should completely close the hole around the root ball, then lightly step on it to level it.

What care do you have?

Weeping willows do not need additional fertilizer , but there are times when we must use it , during the spring, if we find that the leaves are pale.

In this sense, you should sprinkle a cup of fertilizer around the area that is under the tree’s foliage.

When to prune?

The cutting of branches or pruning mature trees should be done in late winter or early spring.

Specialists consider that the longest branches of the weeping willow should be cut down to up to 8 feet from the ground.

Young weeping willows should be pruned once a week to strengthen the trunk.

What pests and diseases can attack the weeping willow?

The weeping willow is not exempt from diseases and pests that cause damage to the point that they can end its life , which is why we must be vigilant to attack the predators that stalk it.

The pests that cause health problems to willow are caterpillars, aphids and aphids, as well as other insects that parasitize it.

The consequence of the attack of the plagues is the irreversible deterioration of the tree, often with holes in its interior as deep wounds, and the branches and leaves deteriorated to the point of preventing its growth.

Other times they produce stains that spread through the trunk, which results in it drying out in a short time.

For this reason, we must be vigilant in order to provide it with the appropriate fertilizers and the necessary pruning for its healthy and happy growth , because the weeping willow is a tree of great beauty that brightens the environment like few trees.