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The Golden Falling Bough

Golden Weeping Willow

Salix × pendulina, golden-weeping form

Golden twigs and falling branches bring a soft outline to the garden. Establish the roots first, with a bright outdoor position and a cool seasonal rest.

Explore the care guide
Botanical illustration

Care at a glance

Know your plant

Golden Weeping Willow is a deciduous, pendulous willow in the Salix × pendulina horticultural complex. It develops arching boughs and hanging golden young branchlets, with green foliage through the growing season. [1]

Rooted plants and fresh unrooted cuttings need different starting care: an established root ball can be watered and grown on, while an unrooted stem must first produce roots. [2]

Light and placement

Give a rooted golden willow a sunny outdoor position with room for its weeping crown. Indoor window light does not replace the outdoor seasonal growing cycle. [3]

Protect leafy cuttings from direct sun and drying wind while they root; gradually remove their humidity cover after roots develop. [7]

Watering

Keep the root zone moist during active growth. Check rooted containers during warm or windy weather; a young pot can dry much faster than the moist garden soil beside it. [3]

Feel below the surface and water slowly across the mix. Brief rain may miss sheltered pots; stop once water reaches the drainage holes. [8]

Soil and pot choice

Use a draining pot that fits the roots and a moisture-retentive, loam-based container mix. Choose a stable base; progressively enlarge the pot as roots fill it. [4]

Temperature and humidity

Keep this deciduous tree outdoors through its growing season. For overwintering, protect the pot: roots above ground face more severe cold than roots insulated by garden soil. [9]

Feeding

Do not fertilize an unrooted cutting or use feed to treat wilt. Newly planted landscape trees usually need careful watering rather than fertilizer; use a soil test before correcting a suspected deficiency. [10]

For established container growth, follow a complete container-feed label and account for fertilizer already in fresh mix. Pause routine feeding during dormancy. [11]

Repotting

  1. Repot established roots when crowded or the mix deteriorates. Keep a newly rooting stem undisturbed. [11]

  2. Set the root ball at its previous depth, fill around it with fresh mix and gently firm. Leave watering space below the rim, water thoroughly, then watch moisture closely. [12]

Propagation

  1. For dormant hardwood cuttings, select healthy woody growth after leaf fall. Keep track of the basal end, insert it downward in deep, draining rooting medium, and leave a few buds above the surface. [13]

  2. Keep dormant cuttings from drying during establishment. Allow a root system to develop before lifting and potting on; early leaves alone are not a reason to disturb the stem. [13]

  3. For fresh leafy tips, remove lower leaves and place the stem base in moist cutting mix. Maintain humid air with a ventilated cover; remove decaying material promptly. [7]

Pruning and foliage care

Begin with dead, damaged or rubbing twigs. Use sharp tools, preserve the branch collar and shape gradually. Large limbs and work overhead belong with a qualified arborist. [14]

Retain the natural falling outline when shaping golden willow. Hard, repeated size reduction changes its form and does not remove the need for enough growing space. [14]

Problems and next checks

Wilt with dry mix: rewet the root ball and reduce drying wind while it recovers. Wilt with sodden mix: check blocked drainage and compacted medium before adding more water. [11]

Sticky growth or distorted young leaves: inspect stems for aphids. Rust-colored spots or galls need closer identification; photograph affected and healthy leaves before seeking local extension advice. [15]

Seasonal care

Increase moisture checks as spring foliage expands, and inspect containers frequently during summer heat. In autumn, let leaves fall naturally as the tree rests. [15][8]

After dormancy, heel the pot into suitable garden soil or use a protected cold space suited to your climate. Check thawed mix for dryness; avoid moving it into a warm living room. [9]

Children and pets

Safety

Do not use ornamental bark or leaves as food, tea or pet chews. Keep loose cuttings out of reach. [5][6]

Prevent children chewing plants; label pots. [5]

Human poisoning (U.S.): 1-800-222-1222. Medical emergencies: 911. [16]

Pet poisoning: veterinarian; ASPCA 888-426-4435 (consultation fee). [17]

Similar plants

Golden Weeping Willow has a pendulous crown and yellow young branchlets. Upright native black and peachleaf willows are separate trees with different mature outlines; they share the need for outdoor seasonal care. [1][15]

Sources

  1. Salix Chrysocoma: golden weeping willow

    Royal Horticultural Society

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  2. Backyard Stream Repair FAQs

    Penn State Extension

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  3. Salix x pendulina f. tristis

    NC State Extension

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  4. Trees: growing in containers

    Royal Horticultural Society

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  5. Know the Plants in Your Garden — For Your Child’s Safety

    Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

    Accessed October 5, 2026 · Publisher date: 2019-07-08

  6. Toxin Trends: Plant Trends frequently asked questions

    Pet Poison Helpline

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  7. Cuttings: softwood

    Royal Horticultural Society

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  8. How to water containers

    Royal Horticultural Society

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  9. Overwintering Unplanted Trees, Shrubs and Perennials

    Iowa State University Extension

    Accessed October 5, 2026 · Updated: Reviewed February 2025

  10. Fertilizing Trees and Shrubs and Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms

    University of Maryland Extension

    Accessed October 5, 2026 · Updated: 2023-02-17

  11. Container maintenance

    Royal Horticultural Society

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  12. How to plant up a container

    Royal Horticultural Society

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  13. Hardwood Cuttings

    Royal Horticultural Society

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  14. How to prune a tree

    Royal Horticultural Society

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  15. Salix: willow

    NC State Extension

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  16. Need immediate assistance?

    National Capital Poison Center

    Accessed October 5, 2026

  17. ASPCA Poison Control

    ASPCA Poison Control

    Accessed October 5, 2026