I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SENT THESE FROM ANOTHER MEMBER ON HERE, AND THEY NEVER FOLLOWED THROUGH ON THEIR END... IF ANYONE HAS ANY CLIPPINGS OR STARTS, I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT... CHECK OUT MY LIST TO SEE IF I HAVE ANYTHING YOU MAY WANT...

bumping duplicate post

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!

How small is a small yard? My wife wanted a weeping willow, so I had to find a place to plant one.My parents planted one when I was young,and it was quite large 15 years later. The place I bought mine from say's it will grow 60ft tall by 40ft in diameter on a mature tree. That would mean you should plant at least 20ft from building or property line,or other obstacle. WW is fast growing so you will have to prune alot to keep it in check.It also is not long lived. If you prune to much it may not look much like the willow you love.On the other hand if you cut it down before it gets to big for it's area,you may get 20 years or more to enjoy it.Plus it may take 5 years under good growing conditions to give you any shade. just my opinion. lp