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

I am in the thumb (Michigan), it's aways from you but if your ever in the area I have weeping and corkscrew willows. There great, the weeping willow grows at least 10' a year and they have dried up the wet spots in my yard. I bought the weeping at a local nursery but the corkscrew's actually came from Home Depot.

wood chips.. from trees with no leaves are the best ... in fact.. ask the dudes when they are there.. if they need anyplace to dump excess.. when they are in the area .... its not like you dont have access and space for a chip pile ... that said.. willow is not a long lived chip ... aka... not hardwood/cedar.. that might last a few years ... but even then .... if they break down fast .. we call it a soil amendment ... lol ... or pile them and leave them for a year or two.. and make compost ... ken

i would be more worried about this light weak wooded.. fast growing tree hanging over my house ... no use worrying about your patio.. when it crushed you in your sleep during some storm .... [not to be overly dramatic or anything like that .. lol]..... as gal notes.. its basically a park or golf course tree ... you can do a heck of a lot better in the usual suburban yard ... how big is this tree ... i had two ... about 8 feet across the trunk.. 100 feet out from the house.. and frankly.. you could not put a shovel in the first inch of soil.. if you wanted to ... and if you are going to do all that root damage by doing something like this.. it might lead to the eventual decline of the tree .... if its still a relative babe.. move it.. or cut it and kill the stump.. and plant something BETTER .... further from the house ... ken