[Baldy]

Saw some weeping willow treelings today for £10 - probably my favourite (most memory inducing) tree.
Are they practical in a garden - how much space / damp conditions do they need? I really fancy getting one but I think realistically my garden is too small.
Perhaps I might just guerilla garden it somewhere in the hedges near my allotment...

Cheers,
Balders

[rowan57]

I would suggest no. They are ENORMOUS trees.

[Yorkie]

I agree.

Huge trees with big roots that can do structural damage if too close to the house.

[Trillium]

Definitely no. Their roots are fast escape artists and will quickly take over the whole plot, along with neighbours as far as 6 plots away. The wood is softwood and quickly develops a huge canopy. Trimming does not help. A neighbour planted one in their front lawn. By year 8 the thing totally shaded the house and roots filled all their house drainage so it had to be cut down at great expense and plumbers came with drain rooters.

That's why you usually find willow growing by water edges.

[Baldy]

ok - perhaps not... 

Thanks for the advice all.

Cheers,
Balders

[New shoot]

Were they real weeping willows Baldy or Kilmarnock Willow?  Just asking because some supermarkets have got an offer on the Kilmarnock ones and they are cheap 

If it is Kilmarnock Willow, these are grafted onto a standard stem and are small trees completely suitable for domestic gardens    I'd agree the real McCoy is a tree for very large riverside gardens only 

[Baldy]

New Shoot - I can't remember - I'll have to go take a second look - though right now I can't even remember where I saw them 

Cheers,
Balders

[Baldy]

Having had a look at pictures of the Kilmarnock Willow I think I'll give it a miss. From what I can see it wouldn't tick the right boxes in terms of appearance - doesn't look enough like a Weeping Willow to start the nostalgic memories.

Cheers,
Balders

[Brambles]

Bonsai weeping willow???

[New shoot]

Kilmarnock willows are chunkier and heavier set than the real thing.  They have pretty catkins but the leaves are much bigger than on weeping willow.

Its unusual to see real weeping willow (Salix babylonica) for sale Baldy, so maybe worth a second look, assuming you can remember where they where 

There are a couple of tame mini willows that are sold in garden centres, so the one you saw could be a garden friendly option 

[diospyros]

Pyrus salicifolia could be the answer to your dreams.  Nowhere near as big as a weeping willow but has the narrow silvery leaves that Kilmarnock doesn't.