Salix - Willow Trees
| Throughout the world willow trees, especially the Weeping Willow, Salix babylonica, have long been associated with water. Their long pendent golden-green branches, clothed with narrow mid-green leaves and sweeping down to the water’s edge are a story book picture. When carefully manicured a mature tree can look magnificent. However, weeping willows should be introduced to the water garden with caution, for they may cause unexpected problems. There are two main concerns when a Weeping Willow is introduced to the water garden. The first is that its all pervasive and vigorous root system may disrupt the pond.
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 Weeping willows have long been associated with water.
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 A substance in willow foliage that is akin to aspirin can kill fish.
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The other is its foliage, which contains a substance that is akin to aspirin. This can kill fish if present in sufficient quantities in the pond. It is released as fallen leaves decompose. Weeping willows are naturally trees of stream and river-sides where any fallen leaves are washed away and cause no harm. In a pond they can accumulate and toxicity results. Although Weeping Willow trees look splendid, they must have plenty of room.
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| They do not prune well. Indeed, they only require manicuring to retain a good shape, rather than any structured pruning. Their wide-spreading habit also denies life to almost any plants that attempt to grow beneath the canopy. This is certainly of concern when willows are established beside natural waterways and ponds where as a result native vegetation is suppressed. While many water gardeners with the room to accommodate weeping willows can enjoy them successfully, there is concern about their proliferation elsewhere alongside waterways, dams and other water bodies.
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| It is not just that they exclude natural vegetation and the insects and other life that associate with it, but also that the trees tend to obtain their moisture from the upper layer of the soil, while local waterside trees like the Red River Gum, Eucalyptus camadulensis, draw much of their water from deeper, thereby having a beneficial effect upon soil and water salinity. On the other hand the willow roots do provide good shelter for fish.
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 Weeping willow trees require plenty of room to develop.
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| Of course, willow trees are not native to Australia. They were imported during the early 1800s and in the early days were used as an aid to navigation, marking river channels. They were also used to provide shelter for cattle and to stabilise river banks. It is alleged that the weeping willows in Australia originated from the tree marking Napoleon’s grave on St.Helena in the mid-Atlantic, ships from Britain regularly stopping there to take on water and supplies.
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 Willow trees can cause the demise of local wildlife.
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Nowadays there is an ambivalence about willows, especially the Weeping Willow and the Crack Willow, Salix fragilis, both of which are dominant waterside species. While their distribution should be carefully monitored in the wild, the beauty and elegance of the weeping willow in the water garden is undeniable. All willows increase readily from stem or small branch cuttings taken at most times of the year and rooted in damp soil in the open.
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Note: In some districts there are campaigns against the proliferation of willows, so take account of this when coming to a decision over their establishment and seek informed opinion.
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