About this tree
Salix sepulcralis “Chrysocoma”, or golden weeping willow, is a cultivar of the common weeping willow that is known for its stunning yellow-green foliage and graceful, cascading form. This deciduous tree typically grows 8–12 m tall, with long, drooping branches that create the weeping effect from which the tree gets its name. In spring and summer, the leaves are bright yellow-green, and they take on a golden hue during the autumn before turning fully yellow. This cultivar is often planted near water sources, such as ponds, lakes, or rivers, as it thrives in moist soils. The tree produces small, inconspicuous flowers in the form of catkins in early spring, which are attractive to pollinators, including bees. The golden weeping willow provides valuable habitat for birds and small mammals, and its dense, drooping branches offer shelter. Golden weeping willows have shorter life expectancies than the more common green weeping willow; they typically survive only 15 to 30 years, as they are prone to diseases like willow rust and canker. As with all willows, its flexible branches have found use in construction, as an alternative to rope, and basket weaving.