Plant DetailShow Menu

Salix alba 'Tristis'

Phonetic Spelling
SEE-liks AL-ba TRIS-tis
Description

Golden Weeping Willow is a cultivar with bright yellow twigs and an attractive weeping form.  Brought to the US from its native locations, it has taken off and has naturalized in many US locations.  It is considered to be the top choice when looking for a weeping willow for the home landscape.  Its golden weeping form makes an excellent specimen tree.  Grow in full sun while avoiding dry soil.  

Maintenance can be time-consuming.  Breakage of the weak wood and branch structure, spreading roots, and leaf litter can make this tree high maintenance.  Ice and snow can also damage the branches.  Caution should be used when locating this tree as its shallow, invasive root system can create havoc on your sewer and water pipes.  However, it may grow in somewhat wet areas where other species will not grow. 

Prune late winter into early spring. Willows are one of the first plants to leaf out in the springtime.

This is a dioecious species, having both male and female plants.  Blooms appear on both the male and female trees in late spring.  The flowers of the male are tiny and have yellowish anthers and two stamens.  These male blooms can be quite showy.  The female flowers are green in color, smaller than the male, and not showy.  

Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Powdery mildew, blights, leaf spot are diseases affecting this tree.  Aphids, scale, borers, lace bugs, and caterpillars are insects to watch for.   

More information on Salix.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#weeping#deciduous#rain garden#large tree#winter interest#high maintenance#erosion control#messy#weak wood#yellow stems#deciduous tree#wet soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#black walnut toxicity tolerant#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#weeping#deciduous#rain garden#large tree#winter interest#high maintenance#erosion control#messy#weak wood#yellow stems#deciduous tree#wet soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#black walnut toxicity tolerant#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Salix
    Species:
    alba
    Family:
    Salicaceae
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, central Asia and northern Africa.
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts birds and insect pollinators.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Textural
    Dimensions:
    Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 75 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 50 ft. 0 in. - 75 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Open
    Rounded
    Weeping
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are a two-valved capsule.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Catkin
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The 4" leaves are gray-green on top and a white on the underside. The fall colors may be showy.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Surface/Attachment:
    Furrowed
    Bark Description:
    The bark is a yellow-brown in color.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Flowering Tree
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Erosion
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Frequent Disease Problems
    Frequent Insect Problems
    Messy
    Weak Wood