Weeping Willow

The weeping willow is a fast-growing deciduous tree, believed to have originated in northern China and long cultivated across temperate regions of the world, prized as an ornamental tree for its graceful, drooping branches that can trail down to sweep the ground or the surface of water. It grows best near rivers, ponds and other wet ground, where its extensive, water-seeking root system thrives, though the same trait can make it a problem near underground pipes and foundations. The tree produces narrow, lance-shaped leaves and small, inconspicuous flower catkins in spring, and it is among the earliest trees to leaf out and among the last to lose its leaves in autumn. Weeping willows are relatively short-lived and prone to storm damage compared with sturdier trees, but their distinctive silhouette has made them a common feature of parks, gardens and cemeteries for centuries.