Golden Weeping Willow Bare Root - Salix sepulcralis 'Chrysocoma'
The Golden Weeping Willow is one of the most romantic and recognisable trees in the British landscape. With its gracefully cascading golden-yellow branches and lush green foliage, this magnificent specimen creates an unforgettable focal point, especially when planted beside water where its reflection doubles the drama. Fast-growing and elegant, this bare root tree offers exceptional value and establishes readily to provide a lifetime of beauty and that quintessentially English, poetic presence that has inspired artists and writers for generations.
Key Features
- Iconic weeping habit – gracefully cascading branches sweep down to the ground
- Golden-yellow stems – brilliant colour in winter and early spring
- Fast-growing – quickly creates a dramatic statement tree
- Elegant movement – branches sway beautifully in the breeze
- Stunning by water – classic choice for pond and lakeside planting
- Early spring colour – bright yellow-green foliage appears early
- Large specimen – creates instant impact and grandeur
- Romantic appeal – quintessentially English garden tree
- Award-winning – RHS Award of Garden Merit for reliable performance
- Bare root format – economical and environmentally friendly, available November to March
Growing Conditions
- Soil type: Tolerates most soils but prefers deep, moisture-retentive soil; thrives in heavy clay
- Position: Full sun to partial shade
- Hardiness: Fully hardy (RHS H6)
- Aspect: Any, but avoid very exposed sites
- Moisture: Moist to wet; excellent in damp locations
Size & Growth
- Mature height: 15-25 metres
- Mature spread: 15-20 metres
- Growth rate: Very fast (80-120cm per year when young)
- Time to maturity: 10-15 years to significant size
Planting Your Bare Root Golden Weeping Willow
When to plant: November through March, whilst the tree is dormant and the ground isn't frozen
Planting tips:
- Soak roots in water for 2-4 hours before planting
- Dig a hole twice the width of the root system
- Plant at the same depth as the soil mark on the stem
- Backfill with native soil mixed with well-rotted compost
- Water thoroughly after planting
- Apply a thick mulch around the base
- Stake securely for the first 2-3 years with a strong support
- Ideal location: Near water features, ponds, or in open lawn areas where its full beauty can be appreciated
Care & Maintenance
- Water regularly during the first two growing seasons, especially in dry weather
- Feed with a general-purpose fertiliser in early spring for the first few years
- Minimal pruning needed – naturally forms its weeping shape
- Remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches in late autumn or winter
- Can lift lower branches if ground clearance is needed
- Check stakes and ties regularly during first few years
- Fast-growing roots – ensure adequate space from buildings and infrastructure
- Generally pest and disease-free, though may be affected by willow anthracnose in very wet conditions
Seasonal Interest
Late Winter to Early Spring: Bare golden-yellow branches create a stunning display before leaves emerge; catkins appear (though less showy than other willows)
Spring: Fresh, bright yellow-green foliage emerges early, creating a luminous curtain of leaves
Summer: Mature foliage turns bright green, creating a lush, cooling canopy; weeping habit at its most dramatic
Autumn: Leaves turn pale yellow before falling, extending the golden theme
Winter: Spectacular display of golden-yellow cascading stems against winter skies
Wildlife Benefits
While primarily grown for ornamental value, Golden Weeping Willow still offers wildlife benefits:
- Provides shelter and roosting sites for birds
- Dense canopy offers nesting opportunities
- Catkins provide early nectar for insects
- Supports various willow-feeding insects
- Fallen leaves provide habitat for invertebrates
- Creates valuable habitat near water
Ideal For
- Large gardens and estates
- Pond-side and waterside planting
- Specimen tree planting in lawns
- Creating focal points and dramatic statements
- Romantic and formal gardens
- Parks and public spaces
- Memorial and commemorative planting
- Large rural properties
- Traditional English garden style
Design Ideas
- Waterside drama: Plant at pond or stream edge for stunning reflections
- Lawn specimen: Position as a solitary focal point in a large open lawn
- Framing views: Use to frame vistas or distant features
- Romantic settings: Perfect for creating shaded seating areas beneath
- Complementary planting: Underplant with spring bulbs and shade-tolerant perennials
- Symmetrical planting: Plant in pairs to flank entrances or frame large properties (requires significant space)
Companion Plants
Create beautiful combinations with:
- Spring bulbs (daffodils, crocuses, snowdrops) beneath the canopy
- Primroses and violets for naturalising under the tree
- Hostas and ferns for shaded areas beneath
- Water irises and marsh marigolds if planted near water
- Hellebores for early interest at the base
Things to Consider
- This is a very large tree – requires substantial space (minimum 15-20 metres from buildings)
- Extremely fast-growing with extensive, vigorous root systems
- Roots seek out water and can damage drains, foundations, and underground services
- Not suitable for small or even medium-sized gardens
- Can cast significant shade – may make growing grass or plants beneath challenging
- May drop twigs and small branches, especially in windy conditions
- Requires regular monitoring and occasional pruning to maintain health
- May be subject to Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) once mature – check local regulations
- Short-lived compared to other large trees (typically 40-80 years)
Why 'Chrysocoma'?
This particular variety is special because:
- More refined weeping habit than the straight species
- Brighter golden-yellow winter stems
- More vigorous and reliable growth
- Better garden performance
- RHS Award of Garden Merit recognition
- Hybrid vigour makes it hardier and more adaptable
Location Guidelines
Minimum distances from:
- Buildings and structures: 20 metres
- Drains and underground services: 20 metres
- Boundaries: 15 metres (consider neighbours' views and light)
- Other large trees: 15-20 metres
- Ponds/water features: 5-10 metres (close enough to reflect but not damage liners)
Why Choose Bare Root?
Bare root trees are lifted from the field during dormancy and supplied without soil around the roots. This traditional method offers several advantages:
- More economical than container-grown trees
- Better root development and establishment
- Lower carbon footprint (no plastic pots or compost)
- Available during the optimal planting season
- Willows establish exceptionally quickly from bare root
Why Choose Golden Weeping Willow?
An iconic tree for those with space:
- Instant drama – creates a breathtaking focal point
- Fast impact – grows rapidly to impressive size
- Year-round beauty – golden stems in winter, fresh foliage in spring, lush canopy in summer
- Romantic appeal – creates that classic English garden atmosphere
- Waterside perfection – nothing compares beside a pond or lake
- Award-winning – RHS recognition for garden merit
- Living sculpture – constantly moving, ever-changing presence
- Heritage planting – a tree for generations to enjoy
Important Garden Suitability Note
Please carefully consider if your garden can accommodate this magnificent but very large tree. It is only suitable for:
- Large gardens (minimum 0.5 acre)
- Rural properties with extensive grounds
- Estates and parkland
- Large commercial landscapes
If you have a smaller garden but love the weeping willow effect, consider:
- Salix caprea 'Kilmarnock' (Kilmarnock Willow) – compact weeping form for small gardens
- Betula pendula 'Youngii' (Young's Weeping Birch) – smaller weeping tree
- Prunus 'Kiku-shidare-zakura' (Cheal's Weeping Cherry) – ornamental weeping tree for medium gardens
Create a timeless romantic statement with Golden Weeping Willow – the ultimate waterside tree with cascading golden branches, fast growth, and quintessentially English elegance. Perfect for large gardens where it has space to showcase its full majesty.
For protection from pests consider Spiral Rabbit Guards or Tree Shelters.
Please see our bare root plant guides for more information. We've put together a collect of help and advice articles covering what bare root plants are, why they are a good choice, which plants are available bare root, when and where to plant.
Deciduous plants supplied bare root during the dormancy period will not have any leaves at this time; top growth will just be brown and twiggy to start with and will come into leaf in the spring. This is perfectly normal. The plants we supply are healthy will an extensive root system. Please see the final picture for an illustration of how your plants will look when they are delivered.
Bare Root is usually dispatched between early November and late March. Exact dates vary year to year depending on the weather. We cannot guarantee availability for a certain date at the beginning or end of the season.
Important Bare Root Care
As soon as you receive your bare root plants place the items upright in a bucket of clean water immediately leaving them for at least 2 hours. Only take plants out as you need them for planting.
Q: When is bare root season?
A: Our bare root season usually runs from November to March but it can depend on the weather conditions, we'd always recommend buying at the end of autumn rather than waiting for spring.
Q: Does the plant size include the roots?
A: No, all bare root plant sizes quoted exclude the roots.
Q: What size plants will I receive?
A: Stock size varies through the season, our 'Plant Size' are give as a guide and you will receive plants somewhere in that range. We are unable to specify exactly how tall the plants will be within that range.
Q: How old will the plants be?
A: Most of our 'Plant Sizes' include the age of the plant, this is shown as a sum e.g. 1+2 which in this case would indicate that the plants are 3 years old. The first number is how long the plant has spent in the seedbed and the second is the number of year it has spent lined out in the field. Where the sum starts with a 0+ this indicates that the plants were grown from a rooted cutting.
Q: Can I get a discount for bulk purchases?
A: We offer a discount banding on bare root plants making them cheaper the more you buy, see the table on each page for details of the price within each band.
Q: Do I need canes?
A: Bamboo canes are perfect for giving young saplings, hedging plants, climbers and other tall shrubs the support they need when they start to establish. Unless you are planting in a completely sheltered spot with very little chance of wind then we would always recommend using a cane for support.
Q: Do I need rabbit guards?
A: Spiral Rabbit Guards are the most popular, low cost tree protection for young saplings, seedlings, transplants and hedging plants from browsing animals such as voles, mice, rabbits and hares. Spiral Rabbit Guards have the ability to grow and expand with the growing tree, providing a sheltered environment for the tree. It's hard to say for certain if you will require the extra protection a rabbit guard provides, if your are aware of a particular pest problem in your planting location then we would recommend using them. Rabbit Guards are not suitable for 'evergreens' please see 'Shrub Shelters' for a suitable evergreen protection method.
Q: What is a shrub/tree shelter?
A: Shrub/Tree Shelters are similar to rabbit guards but are designed for use on evergreens that would sweat and die in rabbit guards. We supply shrub/tree shelters as a kit which includes the shelter, 1 Stake and 2 cable ties, one kit is required per plant.
Q: Do I need shrub/tree shelters?
A: If you are aware of any specific pest problems in your planting area then we would recommend using a shrub/tree shelter to give your young trees or hedging plants that extra protection.