Weeping willow, but not a weeping willow...!

galwaybeginner

I am planning part of my garden and was thinking that I'd love a weeping willow. I've always loved them as trees,, but it has dawned on me that I may not have the room for one, so was wondering if anyone could advise of a tree that is similar but smaller, while keeping the characteristics?

I guess the size I want is roughly 15-20ft tall, about 10ft wide.

Many thanks!

Belfast · Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 11:27 pm Post subject:

Weeping Japanese Red Maple, Willow Trees
"Weeping Japanese red maple reaches a height of 8' and a spread of 12'"
http://landscaping.about.com/cs/treesshrubs/a/weeping_trees_2.htm

galwaybeginner · Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 8:11 am Post subject: Perfect

Brilliant - I think that's just what I need.

Thanks Belfast. Very Happy

michelle M · Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 2:14 pm Post subject:

I asked the exact same question a while back. I ended up going with a weeping birch - Betula pendula youngii

BlackBird · Rank attained: Ash Tree Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 227

galwaybeginner · Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 3:34 pm Post subject:

@michelle: How big is it? See one on google images looks MASSIVE!

@BlackBird: will check that out.

For both - are there any dangers with roots? I just read willows can go 40 or 50 feet in search of water. Worried as that would bring it as far as our septic tank/soak pits. Not what I want it feeding on!

michelle M · Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 3:39 pm Post subject:

my weeping birch is about 6 feet high now, only got it about 2 months ago. The label said it will grow to about 12-15feet, as far as I can remember

Liparis · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 9:01 am Post subject:

galwaybeginner · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 9:21 am Post subject:

I'm even confused with the height I'll need now. I was out measuring the area again last night.

Basic idea is a sort of triangular area with 3 trees - a short enough acer with slim leaves, a weeping brich or weeping cotoneaster, and a red maple.

But thinking more about it I relaise that they will need ot be spaced out probably more than I want to use. The area I have is about 7.5ft x 7.5 ft x 14ft

I want them to be close together so they form a barrier to the field behind but thing the area might be a bit too tight.

Liparis · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 10:23 pm Post subject:

You could buy a multi-stem tree. They can be found in most types and are beautiful. Choosing the species/variety you like and getting a multi stem one may just fit the bill. They are more expensive but look great.
Bill.

galwaybeginner · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 11:03 pm Post subject: A what?

A multi-stem tree? As it different trees on one trunk?

God, never knew such a thing existed! (outside of "frankenstein - the plant version"!) Laughing

Where do you get these beasts of satan? Twisted Evil

Liparis · Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 11:46 am Post subject:

Most nursymen will stock them or your garden centre will order you one. You get two types, some nurseries will do it properly and while the tree is young will prune to encourage between 3 and 5 main stems which will become 3 or 5 trunks from the one root stock. Others cheat, they will take 3 or 5 sapplings and bind them together at the root and grow them on that way, they have the annoying habit of charging the same price as a properly grown multi-stem. Multi-stem trees are truly wonderful, I have two, natural, on my land, They are Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and an Ash (Fraxinus excelsior).
Go for the properly grown type, they survive better, I think when sapplings are bound together and grown as one, they constantly battle each other and even if it's long in the future, some will die and others pretty well stunted.
Bill.

galwaybeginner · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 10:51 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that extra info. Asked at my local place and they don't do them. But saw three trees I may go for. two tall(ish) and one small.

The tall are a acer japanese maple and a weeping birch and the small is ...damn, it's on the tip of my tongue...it's about 1.5m and weeping with pussywillow type buds...

anyhow, not decided for sure - going to take a week or two to think about it as the trees will be there for life (not a believer in cutting down trees if I don't like them)

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Great help.

galwaybeginner · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 10:52 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that extra info. Asked at my local place and they don't do them. But saw three trees I may go for. two tall(ish) and one small.

The tall are a acer japanese maple and a weeping birch and the small is ...damn, it's on the tip of my tongue...it's about 1.5m and weeping with pussywillow type buds...

anyhow, not decided for sure - going to take a week or two to think about it as the trees will be there for life (not a believer in cutting down trees if I don't like them)

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Great help.

Liparis · Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 8:13 am Post subject:

Killmarnock Willow?