Babylon Weeping Willow, Salix babylonica, is a rapidly growing tree with a short lifespan that thrives in USDA Zones 4 to 10 which makes it well suited to many Illinois gardens. The Babylon Weeping Willow is a medium to large deciduous tree that will grow 30-60 feet tall. This tree thrives in moist soil and full sun, and is often grown for shade as well as its ornamental value.

This majestic tree can grow up to eight feet or more a year, especially near water, as it thrives where the soil is moist. In the case of a drought or where a previous water supply has dried up, the roots of the Babylon Weeping Willow will stretch until they find a new water source.

The Babylon Weeping Willow is most well known for its weeping branches. The larger the tree grows the more the branches hang down and create an umbrella of shade with some branches even reaching the ground. The bark of this short-trunked tree is gray and marked with very deep furrows.

While the Babylon Weeping Willow adds interest to the Illinois landscape, it is not without some problems. Sometimes the branches are weakened and break because of the weight of snow and ice, and twigs are constantly shed in the wind which can be very messy. In addition, the incredibly long branches require frequent pruning to keep them from touching the ground.

Locate Babylon Weeping Willows to plant in your Illinois garden by searching the Lawn & Garden Yellow Pages.