Golden Weeping Willow, Golden Willow, Weeping Willow,

Salix alba Tristis Chrysocoma is the much-known and well-admired Golden Weeping Willow, a 2002 winner of the Award of Garden Merit.

This wonderfully majestic tree produces small, silvery-green, narrow leaves that arrive early in the spring and fall late in the autumn.

The flowers are small yellow catkins that appear in the spring with the foliage.

Salix alba Tristis Chrysocoma is a large tree at maturity with a broad, weeping-shaped crown. It is extremely tolerant of wet conditions and thus often found close to water. As it matures, its bark becomes deeply fissured and rugged, adding a layer of winter interest and character beneath its striking weeping canopy.

This thirsty tree is particularly tolerant of wet conditions; it will thrive on most types of soil, provided they are moist.

This large and fast-growing tree will reach extensive proportions, and thus, consideration should be given to the fact that it requires space to reach its full potential. With this in mind, it is a good candidate for severe crown pruning to limit size. Responding to this coppicing, it produces an array of golden stems and bright foliage.

It is best suited to parkland and very large gardens; however, a regular pruning regime does open this tree up to being planted in gardens.

Mature height: 20m+

Common names

Golden Weeping Willow, Golden Willow, Weeping Willow,

Height of tree

20m+

Soil type

Wet, Will tolerate most soil types

Shape

Broad, Weeping

Foliage Colour

Green

Good for waterlogged soil

Yes

Information Flags

Bark interest, Native, Award

Looks good in

Summer, Winter

Location

Parkland, Wetland

Genus

Salix