Weeping Willow
Salix babylonica
NEMBA: Category 2
English: Weeping Willow, Babylon Willow
Afrikaans: Treurwilger
Salix babylonica, commonly known as Weeping Willow, is a graceful, deciduous tree renowned for its long, slender, drooping branches that give it a distinctive 'weeping' appearance. Its leaves are narrow, lance-shaped, and bright green, turning yellowish in autumn before falling. In spring, it produces small, yellowish-green, fluffy flower clusters called catkins. This tree is almost always found near water, as it has a very strong need for moisture.
It is a problematic alien invasive species in South Africa, especially along rivers, dams, and wetlands, as it forms dense stands, consumes vast amounts of water, and displaces indigenous riparian vegetation. It also spreads easily from broken branches that root readily.
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Origin:
Native to dry areas of northern China, but widely cultivated and naturalised across Asia, Europe, and elsewhere.
Distinguishing features:
Prominent weeping branches: Its signature feature is the long, slender, flexible branches that hang downwards, creating a characteristic 'weeping' habit.
Narrow, bright green leaves: Leaves are relatively long and thin (lance-shaped), bright green on top and paler underneath.
Prefers water (riparian habitat): Almost exclusively found growing close to water sources (rivers, dams, ponds, wetlands).
Easy rooting from cuttings/branches: Broken twigs or branches will readily root if they fall into water or moist soil.
High water consumption: Known for its extremely high water usage due to its fast growth and transpiration rates.
Overall appearance:
A medium to large, deciduous tree with a very distinctive, graceful, rounded crown formed by its numerous long, pendulous (weeping) branches that often sweep the ground. It is almost always associated with water.
Height:
Typically grows 10 to 20 metres tall, but can sometimes reach up to 25 metres.
Width:
Can spread 8 to 15 metres wide, with its weeping branches often touching the ground.
Leaves:
Deciduous, alternate, simple, and narrowly lance-shaped, 4 to 16 centimetres long and 0.5 to 2 centimetres wide. They are bright green and smooth on the upper surface, paler and slightly hairy on the underside, with finely toothed margins. They turn yellowish in autumn.
Flowers:
Small, yellowish-green, inconspicuous flowers are borne in slender, cylindrical, fuzzy clusters called catkins, typically 1 to 2.5 centimetres long. Male and female flowers are borne on separate trees (dioecious), but female plants are less common in cultivation as many cultivated forms are male clones.
Flowering season (South Africa):
Early spring (around August to October), before or as the new leaves emerge.
Fruits:
Small, greenish capsules (if female trees are present), which split to release tiny, cottony seeds. However, fertile seed production is uncommon in cultivated weeping willows, with vegetative spread being the primary method.
Seeds:
Very small, light, and numerous, each surrounded by a tuft of long, cottony white hairs. These allow for wind and water dispersal, but vegetative reproduction is more significant in invasion.
Bark:
On young stems and branches, the bark is smooth and greenish-brown. On older trunks, it becomes greyish-brown, deeply furrowed, and rough.
Thorns:
This species does not have thorns.
Wood:
Soft, light, weak, and brittle. It is not typically used for timber but can be used for wickerwork, pulp, or firewood.
Roots:
Develops an extremely aggressive, extensive, and shallow root system that spreads widely in search of water. These roots are notorious for invading and blocking drains, pipes, and septic tanks, as they seek out moisture sources.
Soil type:
Prefers moist to wet, well-drained, deep loamy soils. It thrives in riparian (riverbank) environments and tolerates periodic waterlogging but does not do well in dry, compacted, or poorly drained soils.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun. It is very hardy and tolerant of cold temperatures, but its main requirement is abundant moisture.
Edibility:
Not typically consumed. The bark and leaves contain salicin, similar to aspirin, and have been used in traditional medicine.
Toxicity:
Generally considered non-toxic.
Uses:
Primarily planted as an ornamental tree for its unique weeping form and graceful appearance, especially popular near water features in gardens, parks, and along riverbanks. It has also been used for erosion control in some areas, but this has led to its invasive spread.
Ecology:
As an alien invasive plant in South Africa, Salix babylonica is a significant threat, particularly to riparian (riverine) and wetland ecosystems. It rapidly colonises riverbanks, streambeds, dams, and wetlands, forming dense, pure stands that outcompete and displace indigenous riparian vegetation. Its extremely high water consumption (evapotranspiration) can significantly reduce water flow in rivers and lower water tables, impacting water availability for other plants, animals, and human use in water-scarce regions. Its dense growth can also alter water flow, leading to siltation and changes in river morphology. It spreads aggressively via detached branches or twigs rooting readily in moist soil or water, and through root suckering.
Distribution and habitat:
Widely cultivated and extensively naturalised and invasive throughout most of South Africa, particularly along watercourses and in moist areas. It is very common in provinces with suitable riparian habitats and higher rainfall, including the Eastern Cape (widespread along rivers, dams, and moist areas around Kenton-on-Sea), Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo. It invades riparian zones, wetlands, floodplains, and disturbed areas where moisture is plentiful.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Salix is the classical Latin name for willow trees.
The species epithet babylonica (meaning "of Babylon") is a misnomer. Linnaeus, who named the species, incorrectly associated it with the willows mentioned in the Bible's "Psalms of Babylon," even though the tree is native to China.
"Weeping Willow" refers to its characteristic drooping branches.
Historical aspects:
The Weeping Willow was introduced to South Africa many decades ago (likely 18th or 19th century) as an ornamental tree, valued for its graceful beauty and rapid growth, especially in landscapes with water features. Its remarkable ability for vegetative reproduction (branches rooting easily) and its high water dependency, which led to widespread planting along water bodies for aesthetic and erosion control purposes, inadvertently led to its escape from cultivation and its subsequent establishment as a major invasive species across the country.
Interesting facts:
This tree is basically Mother Nature's ultimate sad emoji, with all its branches gracefully drooping down like it's crying!
Even though its name suggests it's from ancient Babylon, this tree is actually a super traveller from China!
It's a real water-hog! This tree loves water so much that its roots will aggressively chase down and sometimes even block your underground pipes, just to get a drink!
If you break off a twig and stick it in moist soil or water, there's a good chance it'll sprout roots and grow into a whole new tree – it's super easy to 'clone'!
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