When it comes to trees and ponds, one of the most commonly associated species is the weeping willow. Its scientific name, Salix babylonica, might suggest a Middle Eastern origin, but it actually comes from near-tropical parts of Northern China. Today, the weeping willow can be found growing all across America, and in many other countries as well. They have long, slender and wispy branches that are densely covered with thin, flat leaves. They get their common name, 'Weeping Willow', from the sound rain makes as it drips off the tree's many leaves, as if the tree is crying.
These trees love water, and they have very thirsty roots. It is for this reason that they are so strongly associated with ponds and are often found growing near bodies of water. As a non-native species, it is quite possible that many weeping willows you have seen were deliberately planted, rather than propagating through natural means. They can be quite useful when it comes to strengthening shorelines, as their roots form extensive networks and may seem drawn to water like a magnet. This can help hold a sandy lakeside together and prevent it from being washed away into the water during storms.
These trees love water, and they have very thirsty roots. It is for this reason that they are so strongly associated with ponds and are often found growing near bodies of water. As a non-native species, it is quite possible that many weeping willows you have seen were deliberately planted, rather than propagating through natural means. They can be quite useful when it comes to strengthening shorelines, as their roots form extensive networks and may seem drawn to water like a magnet. This can help hold a sandy lakeside together and prevent it from being washed away into the water during storms.
This willow near the edge of a pond is serving to hold the sand from the beach from eroding into the rocks and water.
Despite their beauty, these trees can have a downside. They can be troublesome if they are too close your liner-bottom pond. The problem is that their roots are strong enough to penetrate through your pond's liner and cause your pond to leak, and unlike other causes of leaks, this kind doesn't have a fix-and-forget type of solution. This is because weeping willows are a type of tree known as a phreatophyte, which means they need to have their roots in a permanent water source. So even if you cut away the offending roots and repair or replace the liner, the problem is going to happen again, and it will likely happen sooner than you might expect.
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