I have a Betula .... pendula on the front lawn, 30+ feet high, and LOVE it! I call it the witch tree, because in winter you can see the curvy branches growing from the top (until they start weeping) and in summer, it's like those Xmas tree pix where the tree's wearing a ball gown, spread out wide on the ground, going up in layers of skirts, waving in the wind (like a wave at a ball game) and watching all the birds who hide in it, and my cats who hide underneath. Weeping willows need HUGE areas to grow in and will destroy anything for miles around, especially if there's water there, so forget that!

kings_rose Believe me that it wouldn't be that beautiful for much longer if you kept it indoors. Some plants really shouldn't be overwintered indoors, and willow is one of them. Hardy plants like that actually need cold period and Al (and others) pointed that out. It may live, but would be very much weakened and may not last that long outdoors after that. I think you did right by moving it outside, and as long as you don't let it dry out completely while in the garage, it has much better chance of survival. Rina

I have a similar problem along the south side of my yard, where there are 3 large Silver maples flanking the property line. Two are on the neighbor's side and one is on my side. Acer saccharinum is a fabulous tree but it is difficult to grow anything under the shady canopies and in the root zones of these trees. They're water hogs and have aggressive roots and probably shouldn't be planted anywhere near human structures, septic systems or sewer lines, or gardens. I can only imagine that Salix babylonica is even worse. I've planted Grey dogwood, American hemlock, 'Dark Green' and 'Green Giant' Arborvitae, Forsythia, Cornus alternifolia, crabapples, American hazelnut, and others along this border and most are hanging in there/doing ok, but I had some dieback in the drought this past summer and no doubt they would be growing so much better if they didn't have to compete with big Silver maples! I will probably attempt to do some root pruning of the silver maple roots next year to reduce competition with the smaller shrubs and trees.

I think you mean invasive :-) And neither is really considered an invasive species although both will have aggressively water seeking root systems. Plant far away from any septic system or underground sewer or water pipes.