weeping willow Salicaceae Salix babylonica auct. non L. p.p. symbol: SABA Leaf: Alternate, simple, very narrowly lance-shaped, finely serrated margin, yellow-green above, milky green below, 3 to 6 inches in length, 3/8 to 1/2 inch in width. Flower: Species is dioecious; males and females appear as upright catkins and are quite fuzzy, 1 inch long, appearing before or with the leaves. Fruit: A one inch long cluster of valve-like capsules, light brown in color containing many fine, cottony seeds, ripen in late May to early June. Twig: Very slender, smooth, olive-green to pale yellowish brown, hanging or drooping for long distances, almost rope-like; buds are small, appressed and covered by a single, cap-like scale. Terminal buds lacking. Bark: Grayish brown and irregularly furrowed. Form: Easily identified due to their long, graceful branches that sweep towards the ground. Crown is usually round, attaining a height of 40 to 50 feet. Looks like: white willow - black willow - corkscrew willow Additional Range Information: Salix babylonica is planted in the USDA hardiness zones shown above and may seed into the landscape. See states reporting weeping willow. More: Fall Color External Links: USDA Plants Database Horticulture © Copyright 2015, Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, all rights reserved. Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson