Weeping Willows

A weeping willow tree in Boston's Public Gardens


A weeping willow tree in Madrid's Retiro Park

The weeping willow has always been one of my favorite trees. For some reason, it reminds me of a grandfather, shrewd, cultivated, and welcoming. Shrewd and cultivated because it surpasses many other trees in size and beauty, which gives it a deserved sense of superiority. Its potential size is especially remarkable. According to Arborday.org, it can grow to be 40 feet tall and 35 feet wide. The willow is welcoming because its gracefully elongated branches provide a refuge for pedestrians looking to escape from the sun on a warm spring or summer day. The tree, understanding the needs of its pedestrians, generally blooms in April or May, just as the days start warming up.

As my photos show, the weeping willow resides in Spain's Retiro Park and Boston's Public Gardens. In both places, the tree is found at water's edge. This is because the willow, although capable of growing anywhere, thrives in moist soil. In my opinion, the willow looks best next to water because it produces a unique reflection.

Although I have only seen willows in North America and Europe, they actually originated in China. So it seems that like the moon, which I discussed in my first post, the weeping willow is powerful enough to eclipse cultural borders. As a result, Spaniards and Bostonians are both able to enjoy the seemingly paternal willow while strolling through their respective public parks.