About this tree
Salix alba, the white willow, is a medium to large deciduous tree native to Europe and western and central Asia, typically growing 10–30 m tall with pale undersides to its narrow leaves and catkins in early spring. It thrives in wet soils along rivers and lakes and is valued for wood, basketry, and traditional uses. Its bark contributed to the discovery of salicylic acid (the precursor of aspirin). Numerous cultivars and hybrids exist, many selected for ornamental or practical traits. Among them, Salix alba “Tristis” (also called the white weeping willow or Salix alba “Vitellina-Tristis”) is a weeping form with long pendulous branches and golden yellow twigs that create a sweeping, dramatic silhouette; it can reach 15–20 m or more in height and spread, and prefers full sun and moist ground such as pond or stream edges. Its yellow-green foliage and early catkins add seasonal interest, while its fast growth and elegant form make it a striking specimen in large gardens, parks, and waterside plantings. “Tristis” also provides ecological value, for early spring catkins feed pollinators and its branches offer habitat for birds. Although less common than some hybrids, this cultivar remains valued for its distinctive weeping form and autumn colour, contributing to landscape aesthetic and wildlife attraction in suitable large open spaces.