IIaisdbook ok Trees of the Xokthei.-x States and Canada. 



S7 



The Weeping Willow 13 a fmniliar itiid 

 Bingiilarly ornamental tree, and sometime-i at- 

 tains the height of 50 or 00 ft. with a short 

 tliiek trunk from '.',-4 or .') ft. in diameter, 

 'i'liis is covered with a smoothish j^ri-ivish bark 

 di\ided into shallow, firm and more or less 

 reticulated ridges. It lias tieen introduced 

 into this countrj- from easd-rn luirope 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 tliey eventually find loilgement on the 

 shore and when conditions are fa\orable take 

 root and grow. 



The tree thrives best Iti nadst soil and par- 

 ticularly on the banks of (piiet streams and 

 ponds. Its trunk usually divides within a few 

 feet of the ground into a tew large branches 

 which ramify and the ultinuite branchlets, 

 sometimes yards in length, droop and li:ing 

 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 appear. nci:. 



Leaves lincar-lanccolatc, usiial'y ■<-f> In. long, 

 cuneate at base, tapering to a long slender point. 

 finely serrate, pubescent when yoiiDg bat finally 

 glabrous dark green above, pale beneath ; stipules 

 small semicordate ; petioles usually l^j in. or less 

 Id length, glandular above : branchlets olive-green, 

 very long and slender. Fioirrrs appearing witli 

 the leaves in small slender aments with ovafe- 

 lanceolate bracts on laleral leafy t)ranchlets. 

 Fruit capsules narrow-ovoid gl:ibrons. 



A number of varities are i-i-cognized ;is : var. 

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

 nularis FVjrbes, with leaves curling back suggestive 

 of rings; vnr. dolorosa Rowen, (Wisconsin Weep- 

 ing Willow) a hardy northern form with leaves 

 very glaucous beneath, etc. 



