Trees That Look Like Weeping Willows

If you love the look of a weeping willow but need something different for your garden, you’re in the right place. Many trees that look like weeping willows offer that same graceful and elegantly drooping shape without the size or water needs. This guide will help you find the perfect alternative to bring that soft, cascading beauty to your landscape.

Weeping willows are iconic, but they have extensive, invasive roots and need lots of space and water. Luckily, several other trees and shrubs mimic that lovely, pendulous habit. They can fit into smaller yards or offer unique features like colorful blooms or interesting bark.

This list covers trees with long, sweeping branches that create a similar curtain-like effect. Each has its own personality and growing requirements.

Weeping Cherry (Prunus spp.)

Weeping cherries are a stunning ornamental choice. They provide a spectacular spring show of pink or white blossoms that drape toward the ground. Their form is undeniably elegant.

Key Features: Spectacular spring flowers, graceful arching form, smaller mature size than a willow.
Best For: Focal points in small to medium gardens. They add a touch of Japanese garden serenity.
Care Tip: Plant in well-drained soil and provide full sun for the best flower production.

Weeping Birch (Betula pendula ‘Youngii’)

Young’s Weeping Birch is a fantastic option for year-round interest. It has the classic white bark of a birch tree combined with a dense, umbrella-like canopy of fine, drooping branches.

Key Features: Striking white peeling bark, fine-textured leaves that turn yellow in fall, very compact weeping form.
Best For: Adding winter structure and texture to the garden. Its silhouette against the sky is beautiful.
Care Tip: Prefers cool roots. Mulch well and plant in a spot that gets some afternoon shade in hotter climates.

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca Pendula’)

This is a dramatic evergreen alternative. Its branches cascade down with silvery-blue needles, creating a sculptural, almost fountain-like effect. It’s growth habit is very unique.

Key Features: Evergreen blue foliage, extremely pendulous and sculptural branches, can be trained along structures.
Best For: A bold, architectural statement. It can be staked to grow upright or allowed to sprawl as a groundcover.
Care Tip: Requires excellent drainage and full sun. It is relatively drought-tolerant once established.

Weeping European Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’)

This tree offers a majestic, spreading form with deep purple or green leaves. Its branches sweep outward and then down, creating a shady, cave-like space underneath. It’s a real centerpiece tree.

Key Features: Dense canopy, smooth gray bark, beautiful copper fall color on the green varieties.
Best For: Large landscapes where it has room to spread its wings. It creates a wonderful natural playhouse for kids.
Care Tip: Give it plenty of space and avoid compacted soil. It appreciates consistent moisture.

Lavender Twist Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Covey’)

A smaller, charming tree that packs a punch. In early spring, its bare branches are covered in tiny purple-pink flowers, followed by heart-shaped leaves. The entire plant has a relaxed, weeping habit.

Key Features: Early spring blooms directly on branches, heart-shaped leaves, naturally contorted trunk.
Best For: Small gardens, woodland borders, or as an understory tree. It’s slow-growing and manageable.
Care Tip: Plant in dappled shade or morning sun. It’s more tolerant of dry conditions than true willows.

How to Choose and Plant Your Weeping Tree

Selecting the right tree is about more than just looks. You need to consider your garden’s conditions to ensure it thrives.

Step 1: Assess Your Space

Look up! Check for overhead power lines. Look down and around. Measure the available width and height clearance. Remember, the mature size listed on the tag is real.

Step 2: Check Your Soil and Sun

Most weeping trees prefer full sun (6+ hours) for best form and flowering. Do a simple soil test to see if your soil is clay, sand, or loam. Drainage is critical for almost all of these trees.

Step 3: Planting for Success

Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper.
Gently loosen the roots if the tree is pot-bound.
Place the tree in the hole, ensuring the root flare is level with the soil surface.
Backfill with the native soil, gently tamping to remove air pockets.
Water deeply to settle the soil and create a small watering basin around the trunk.
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch, keeping it away from the trunk itself.

Step 4: Early Care and Pruning

Water regularly for the first two years, especially during dry spells. The goal is deep, infrequent watering to encourage roots to grow down. For pruning, the main goal is to maintain health and show off the graceful form.

Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches.
For most, prune in late winter when the structure is visible.
With weeping cherries and similar, you may need to prune to elevate the canopy slightly, so you can walk underneath.
Avoid over-pruning; you want to preserve its natural, flowing shape.

Common Issues and Solutions

Even the most graceful trees can have problems. Here’s what to watch for.

Poor Drainage: This is the biggest killer. Yellowing leaves and stunted growth can be a sign. If you have heavy clay, consider planting in a raised mound or choosing a very tolerant species.
Pests: Aphids may be attracted to new growth. A strong spray of water from the hose is often enough to dislodge them. Borers can target stressed trees, so keeping your tree healthy is the best prevention.
Fungal Diseases: Good air circulation helps prevent many leaf spot and mildew issues. Always clean up fallen leaves in the autumn, especially around fruit trees.

FAQ: Trees With a Weeping Habit

What is the smallest tree that resembles a weeping willow?

The Lavender Twist Redbud or a dwarf weeping cherry, like Prunus ‘Snow Fountains,’ are excellent compact choices. They often stay under 10 feet tall and wide.

Are there any fast-growing weeping trees?

While true weeping willows are the fastest, the weeping birch and some weeping cherries have a moderately quick growth rate. The Blue Atlas Cedar is slower but worth the wait.

Can I grow a weeping tree in a container?

Yes, for a time. Dwarf varieties are best suited for this. Use a large, sturdy pot with excellent drainage and be prepared to water and fertilize more frequently. Eventually, most will need to be planted in the ground.

What tree has drooping branches like a willow but is evergreen?

The Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar is the premier choice. Some varieties of weeping Norway spruce (Picea abies ‘Pendula’) also offer an evergreen, cascading form with a different texture.

How do I make my weeping tree look its best?

The key is to highlight its natural shape. Prune sparingly to remove clutter and define the main lines. Underplant with low-growing shade plants or mulch to keep the trunk area clean, which draws the eye up into the graceful canopy.

Adding a tree with weeping form to your garden is a decision you won’t regret. It adds movement, softness, and a touch of poetry to the landscape. By choosing a species that fits your space and conditions, you’ll enjoy its elegant beauty for many years to come. Take your time to select the right one, plant it carefully, and you’ll have a living sculpture that changes with the seasons.