Leaves & needles
Long, narrow, finely toothed leaves, green above and paler below.
IntroducedDeciduousTypical height 12–20 m
Golden weeping willow
Salix × sepulcralis 'Chrysocoma'
A large waterside tree with long golden shoots hanging in curtains.
THROUGH THE YEAR
Golden weeping willow through the seasons
A broad dome surrounded by long leafy curtains.
Foliage turns yellow; golden hanging shoots become more visible.
Bare golden twigs retain a strong weeping outline.
Typical open-grown form. Leaf fall varies with weather and location; young or clipped trees may retain dead leaves. Pruned, sheltered and young trees can look different.
LOOK A LITTLE CLOSER
How to identify golden weeping willow
Bark
Grey-brown bark becomes deeply furrowed.
Twigs
Slender, flexible, yellow-green to golden twigs hang downwards.
Buds
Small narrow buds sit against the twig, each covered by a single cap-like scale.
Flowers & pollen
Slender catkins appear with the emerging leaves in spring.
Fruit, seeds & cones
Golden weeping willow commonly produces little or no viable seed. The image shows a spent catkin; other willow hybrids can release cottony seeds.
Images show typical features and are not to scale. Confirm several features using the reference sources below. The fruit panel shows a spent catkin, rather than a crop of seeds.
CARE WITH PURPOSE
Caring for golden weeping willow
Help it thrive
Needs sun, moisture and extensive space. Position with mature roots, buildings, drains and water features in mind.
Pruning advice
Retain its natural weeping outline. Remove selected defective or obstructing branches; any substantial reduction or pollarding needs a site-specific professional plan.
When can it be pruned?
Dormant season, generally November–February
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Highlighted months are an indicative window for the work described, not a reason to prune every year. An unshaded month is not an absolute ban.
Timing must suit the tree's health, weather, wildlife and legal protection. Avoid severe frost, drought and vulnerable new leaf growth. Mature trees, major branches and suspected defects need professional assessment.
Tree health: what to watch for
Willows can develop weak limbs and decay; do not make major cuts solely to match a calendar.
Identification & care references
Guide researched November 2026. Identification remains provisional until several features agree. UK native means native in some part of the UK, not necessarily your area.
Before work in England, check tree preservation orders, conservation-area restrictions and wildlife protection. Official tree protection guidance ↗