Decorative Weeping Trees for Landscaping

Weeping Redbud

• Properties with minimal space can get maximum impact using a dwarf ornamental tree called the weeping redbud, or Cercis canadensis. The tree has heart-shaped leaves and twisted branches which form an umbrella shape, growing to just a few feet in height. In the spring, the tree sprouts a purplish-red bud that flowers into lavender and pink blooms for a few weeks. In the fall, brown pea pods sprout and last through the winter season. The tree's leaves change color from green in the summer and spring to yellow in the fall. A special variety of the weeping redbud called the "Lavender Twist" was cultivated in Ohio in 1998. The weeping redbud thrives in locations in zones 4 through 9 on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Weeping Cherry

• The compact weeping cherry is an ideal weeping tree for the homeowner with little space. This tree needs a five-foot distance from any structure and will reach 12 feet in height when full-grown. The tree has deep green foliage year-round. In the spring, the branches of a weeping cherry are fully covered in white flowers. This type of tree is often used as an anchor around a porch or deck. In the front of the home, a weeping cherry can be the yard's focal point or serve as a centerpiece in a flower bed. The weeping cherry is considered a hardy tree adaptable and tolerant to grow at a moderate to rapid rate in most conditions. The weeping cherry thrives when planted in zones 5 through 8.

Weeping Willow

• In larger landscapes, a weeping willow provides shade and style. The tree has shallow roots that need a relatively smaller amount of space to spread out when compared to other types of trees, however the span of its branches and leaves requires a large area. Some weeping willow types include Prairie Cascade, Niobe Golden and the Green Weeping Willow. Weeping willows typically grow to heights between 40 and 60 feet and thrive in conditions that receive constant, direct sunlight and frequent watering. This tree has a fast rate of growth, maturing in 15 to 20 years. Leaf types include thin, wispy and short types in various colors of golden, brown and green. Zones of 6 through 8 provide the best growth environment for weeping willow trees.