Handbook of Trees of the Northekn States and Canada, 



87 



The Weeping Willow is a familiar and 

 singularly ornamental tree, and sometimi's at- 

 tains the height of 50 or 00 ft. witli a stiort 

 thick trunk from '.^-4 or 5 ft. in dianictor. 

 This is covered with a smoothish grayish bark 

 divided into shallow, firm and more or less 

 reticulated ridges. It lias hccii introduced 

 into this country from eastern iMirope and 

 Asia and is naturalized in localities, ap- 

 parently spreading mainly if not wholly by 

 the distribution of its twigs. These falling 

 upon the surface of a stream or lake Hoat 

 until they eventually find lodgement on the 

 shore and when conditions are favorable take 

 root and grow. 



The tree thrives best in moist soil and par- 

 ticularly on the banks of quiet streams and 

 ponds. Its trunk usually divides within a few 

 feet of the ground into a few large branches 

 which ramify and the ultimate branchlets, 

 sometimes yards in length, droop and hang 

 like a great natural portiere to the surface of 

 the water. These great locks of branchlets, 

 as they wave in the winds of a stormy day. give 

 the tree a singular and striking appearance. 



Leaves linear-lanceolate, usual'y 3-6 in. long. 

 cuneate at base, tapering to a long slender point, 

 finely serrate, puljescent when jouag but finally 

 glabrous dark green above, pale beneath ; stipules 

 small semicordate ; petioles usually ';j in. or less 

 In length, glandular above ; branchlets olive-green, 

 very long and slender. Floiccm appearing with 

 the leaves in small slender aiuents with ovate- 

 lanceolate bracts on lateral leafy branchlets. 

 Fruit capsules narrow-ovoid glabrous. 



A number of varities are recognized as : var. 

 aurea Ilort., with yellow branchlets : var. an- 

 nularis Forbes, with leaves curling back suggestive 

 of rings; var. dolorosa Rowen. (Wisconsin Weep- 

 ing Willow) a hardy northern form with leaves 

 very glaucous beneath, etc. 



