weeping tree Adelaide

CathyM

G'Day from Adelaide!

In September last year we moved into this house and found in the backyard two trees that had been victims of a chainsaw attack and looked very dead.
Over the next few months first one then the next started to grow leaves again, and we soon discovered it was a weeping variety!
This Spring the tree photographed has also produced unusual flowers- it is laden with them.
(Excuse my cat in the photo, she wasn't supposed to be in that shot)
The height is about 9 metres, and it spreads out about 11 metres.
The leaves are long and thin, in the winter some of them turned colour and fell, but most stayed and the tree now has two different size leaves.
The flowers are on a spike, about 3 cms long, with fluffy fine cottonwool creamy white, and which floats from the tree at the slightest zephyr stirring.
Thanks in advance for any help
Cathy

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Brent Ferris

These are willows. Can't be sure of variety - not a lot of variation between species, they hybridize freely, and Adelaide is bound to be different from Toronto., but I would guess weeping willow (Salix sp)

Generally considered a graceful tree - I generally tell my clients -- it is a beautiful tree in someone else's yard. The wind rustles the leaves with the slightest of breezes, they look great, are hardy, generally keep their leaves a long time (even in our northern climate), flower and seed prolifically (looks like it is snowing when the seeds scatter)- though seldom sprout from seed (mostly from suckers from roots), easily rooted, and minimal care to have the tree live for most of its 60 to 80 years.

That's the good news. The bad news is that it drops branches easily; branches are always breaking (and regrowing) esp in strong winds; the brittleness makes people wary of the tree -- so creates a lot of repeat work for arborists; removing the tree entirely is tough, it keeps suckering back up, and even if you remove the stump, will sucker from the roots; doesn't tolerate drought very well.

The wood -- though brittle -- can be shaped and used as reasonable lasting furniture; heat wise -- if that is all there is, is ok, but often smells some.
BTW salicylic acid had its beginnings from willow, and a minor headache can be relieved by chewing on some twigs.

Hope this helps.

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CathyM

Ah, thank you!
They sure sound very hardy, and that is exactly the trait we have noticed, coming back from dead branches to as seen in the photo in just over 12 months sure amazes !
We do have pretty hot temps here and prone to drought, but the tree has a good hold on the ground and doubtless has a steady source underground, we are around 300 yards from a small river.
It sure does provide excellent shade and cooling in the Summer... and the cat just adores hiding under its leafy lower branches.
I will have to try a twig next time I have a headache
many thanks
Cathy