Botanical Name: Salix alba 'Tristis'
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Size and Shape: The 'Tristis' cultivar typically grows to a height of 30-50 feet, with a spread of 20-30 feet. Its branches are long and flexible, drooping towards the ground and creating a weeping effect.
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Foliage: The leaves of 'Tristis' are a bright, glossy green on the upper surface and a pale green on the lower surface. They are lance-shaped and grow up to 6 inches long. The leaves turn yellow in the fall before dropping.
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Flowers: In early spring, 'Tristis' produces small, inconspicuous flowers that are yellow-green in color. They are dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers are borne on separate trees.
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Bark: The bark of the tree is gray-brown in color and develops deep furrows and ridges with age.
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Growth rate: This tree is a fast-growing variety and can put on 3 to 5 feet of growth per year under optimal conditions.
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Hardy Zones: 'Tristis' is hardy in zones 2 to 8, which means it can tolerate cold temperatures down to -40°F.
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Uses: Weeping Willow is often used as a specimen tree in large landscapes, near water features or in wet soil areas. It is also commonly used for erosion control and soil stabilization.
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Maintenance: The 'Tristis' cultivar requires regular pruning to maintain its weeping shape and remove dead or damaged wood. It prefers moist, well-draining soil and full to partial sun exposure. The tree is generally resistant to pests and diseases, although it may be susceptible to cankers, leaf spot, and aphids in some areas.
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Cultural Significance: Weeping Willow has been widely used in literature and art, and its graceful form and gentle swaying branches are often associated with mourning and grief.
