Salix Babylonica
Common names: Weeping Willow, Peking Willow, Babylon Willow
Irish name: Saileach Shilte
Latin name: Salix Babylonica
Family: Salicaceae
Origin: non - native
Tree type: Deciduous broadleaf tree (Broadleaf vs Conifer)
How it looks
Shape, bark, twigs
It is a medium to large quick-growing deciduous tree with weeping branches and leaves stretching to the ground giving it an elegant appearance.
Leaves
The alternate leaves are long, slender, and pointed up to 16cm long and just 1.5cm wide. With small, toothed margins, the mature leaves are darker green on top with a lighter-coloured back, slightly hairy to the touch.
Flowers
Fruits are small, light brown capsules approximately one inch long, forming clusters of valve-like structures that contain numerous fine, cottony seedsThese capsules typically ripen in late May to early June and are described as dry and hard.The fruits develop from the tree's fuzzy catkins, which appear before or alongside the leaves.
Where to find it
It is native to northern China but it has been extensively planted and naturalised in other parts of the world. It happily grows in wet habitats so can often be found along canals and riverbanks. Therefore, it will lack vigour in dry soils. Very easily grown from cuttings, which root very readily.
Cultural importance
History | Myth | Art and Literature
The weeping willow is reputed to have been first encountered by Europeans, namely the botanist, Sir George Wheeler, in western Anatolia in 1676, and was introduced to Europe from the Near East in either the 17th or 18th century. It is believed to have been introduced to England in 1730, likely arriving in Ireland around the same time.
The latin name salix has two possible origins – the first stems from the Indo-European word ‘sal-lis’, meaning ‘water’, while the second derives from the Greek word ‘salos’ which means ‘to swing back and forth’. The name Babylonica was assigned to the weeping willow by the Swedish taxonomist Carl Linnaeus who believed erroneously that it originated in Babylon.
The branches of the weeping willow have been used traditionally in different cultures for making baskets, beehives, brooms, furniture, fencing, lobster pots, musical instruments, rope, shelters, while the bark was used to make a dye for tanning. Ancient texts from Assyria, Egypt and Greece reveal that different parts of the weeping willow were also used medicinally to treat a variety of maladies, including rhematic illnesses and fever.
Long associated with death and mourning, the wood of the weeping willow was used to make funerary torches in ancient times. In certain cultures, the tree is frequently found in graveyards as a symbol of mourning. For the same reason, images of weeping willows are often etched onto headstones. A weeping willow is said to have been planted by the grave of Napoleon in St. Helena in 1821, and eventually came to be known as the Napoleon willow. Later, using this connection with Napoleon, nurserymen used the name ‘Salix Napoleonis’ to promote sales of weeping willows. In 1835, as a symbolic gesture, France sent cuttings from the willows by Napoleon’s grave to be planted at the grave of George Washington in the United States. It is believed that several cuttings of the Napoleon willow have been planted throughout the world.
Historically, weeping willow was also a popular ornamental tree and was planted widely in parks and gardens. One particularly famous ornamental example was the one which the poet Alexander Pope planted in his garden at Twickenham, UK, from which it was said all British weeping willows were descended.
Some beautiful weeping willow examples can be found on the University College Cork campus.
On account of the ‘weeping’ appearance of its leaves and branches, weeping willow is associated with grief, death, mourning and sadness in many cultures. As one Greek myth relates, after Phaeton, the son of the God Helios, was struck down dead by Zeus, Phaeton’s sisters wept in grief and their tears grew into trees that came to be known as the weeping willows.
Linked to this story, is the belief in Greek mythology that the willow was thought to help the dead to pass safely into the underworld. Thus, it is unsurprising that the weeping willow is also associated in some cultures with the underworld, magic and witchcraft, and is believed to protect against evil spirits. In other contexts, however, due to its fast growth, tenacity and ability to regenerate easily, the weeping willow also symbolises fertility, renewal, vitality and immortality.
The weeping willow features frequently in art and literature. The pre-Raphelite poet, Christina Rossetti writes about the mourning symbolism in her poem, ‘In the Willow Shade’. Likewise, in the Shakespeare play, Othello, the ‘Willow Song’, which the character Desdemona sings, represents sorrow and death. Shakespeare also uses the symbolism of the willow in Hamlet and Twelfth night
With regard to art, the weeping willow inspired many paintings by Claude Monet, as well as Vincent Van Gogh’s Garden with Weeping Willow. It is also the inspiration for the work of the artist William Morris, especially his famous ‘Willow Pattern’ which is still widely printed today on interior decor items such as wallpaper and upholstery.
Value to wildlife
Salix species are known for attracting bees, birds, and butterflies/moths. It serves as a food source for caterpillars, boasts nectar- and pollen-rich flowers, and offers shelter and habitat. The flowers are often the first source of nectar for bees in the Spring.
Threats
Weeping willows (Salix babylonica) face threats from fungal diseases like willow scab, black canker, and anthracnose, as well as pests such as willow aphids and sawflies.
Uses
The weeping willow (Salix babylonica) contains salicin, a compound that serves as the precursor to salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin. This species, known for its distinctive drooping branches, thrives in moist environments and is particularly effective for erosion control along riverbanks and in landscaping.
References
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Drori, J. (2018) Around the World in 80 Trees. London: Laurence King Publishing
Sterry, P.(2007) Collins Complete British Trees. London: Collins.
Kingsbury, N. (2015) Hidden histories: Trees. Timber Press
Biblioteca degli Alberi Milano. 2024. Weeping Willow, Biblioteca degli Alberi Milano. Weeping willow - BAM
Cohen, J. 2018. Weeping Willow, Bates Canopy. Bates College. Weeping Willow | Bates Canopy | Bates College
Haddad, P. 2022. The Weeping Willow; Woe and the Roots of Resilience, Haus Nostromo Journal. The Weeping Willow; Woe and the Roots of Resilience – Haus Nostromo
Miller, R. 2004. The Weeping Willow, Bellarmine University. Weeping Willow (bellarmine.edu)
Natural Medicinal Herbs. 2024. Weeping Willow, Natural Medicinal Herbs. medicinal herbs: WEEPING WILLOW - Salix babylonica (naturalmedicinalherbs.net)
Nehrer, Z. and Thompson, K. 2015. Cultural Uses of the Willow. Plants and People. University of Ohio. Cultural Uses of the Willow | Group Number Two: Willow Trees (wordpress.com)
Pokorny, M. 2018. Meet the Trees: The Weeping Willow, Friends of the Public Garden. Meet the Trees: The Weeping Willow | January 17, 2018 - Friends of the Public Garden
Royal Botanical Gardens Kew. 2024. Salix babylonica - Weeping willow, Royal Botanical Gardens Kew.Weeping willow | Kew
Skelley, B. H. 2024. Keep Close to the Willows, Missouri Humanities. Keep Close to the Willows | Missouri Humanities (mohumanities.org)
Trees and Shrubs Online. 2024. Salix babylonica, Trees and Shrubs Online. Salix babylonica - Trees and Shrubs Online
Trees for Life. 2024. Willow mythology and folklore, Trees for Life. Willow tree mythology and folklore | Trees for Life
Tree Council of Ireland. (2020). Native Trees of Ireland. Available at: WILLOW (treecouncil.ie) [Accessed 7 Oct. 2024]