Salix x pendulina, commonly called pendulous willow or weeping willow, is a hybrid cross between S. babylonica as female parent and either S. fragilis or S. euxina as male parent. This is a dioecious tree that grows to 30-50’ tall and as wide with a short trunk, wide crown and pendulous branches that dip to the ground. This hybrid is more commonly planted in the U. S. today than Salix babylonica. Flowering catkins appear in April-May, but are not showy. Branches are yellowish-brown to gray-brown. Long, acuminate, green leaves (to 6” long) are narrow lanceolate to elliptic to linear with serrulate margins. Variable fall color is usually an undistinguished greenish-yellow.

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This hybrid willow can be a spectacular specimen at the edge of a stream or lake with its branches gracefully weeping down and touching the water. However, it is can be difficult to site this tree in a residential landscape because of its size and habits.

USDA Zones 3-9