The nostalgic sight of the weeping willow tree by a lake, dipping its long branches into the water, can already be found in old poems and writings. The beautiful look brings back memories of old times. The weeping willow has a comparatively short life expectancy. Read here why the tree only gets around 80-100 years old.

Weeping willows can live up to 100 years

How old does the weeping willow get?

Weeping willows last an average of 80-100 years. Their age is therefore the same as that of a human life. So it's a nice idea to plant a weeping willow tree when a child is born. It serves as a tree of life, so to speak.

growth curve

At a young age, the weeping willow literally shoots up. Although the rapid growth does not fully occur in old age, it is no longer as pronounced as it used to be.

Dependence on growth and maximum age

The willow grows extremely quickly and is clearly superior to other deciduous trees in this respect. In comparison, the maximum life expectancy of the weeping willow is all the lower. The rapid, large-scale spread requires a lot of energy. In addition, the weeping willow becomes more and more prone to breakage in strong storms with increasing age and the resulting size.

Important factors for old age

  • the site
  • the floor

The site

Weeping willows need a lot of light to grow. Since they grow very tall in a short time and thus overshadow other trees, this only poses a problem in a few cases.

The floor

Sufficient water and nutrients are also essential for healthy growth. Only in humid areas is the supply secured until old age.

Methods to determine the age of the weeping willow

  • C 14 dating
  • tree age tables
  • Drilling resistance measurement with a resistograph
  • growth rings

C 14 dating

This method uses radiocarbon dating. It is only used on very old trees.

tree age tables

These are tables based on empirical values.

Drilling resistance measurement with a resistograph

Depending on the resistance encountered when drilling into the bark, the age of the tree can be determined.

growth rings

They can be read from the tree disc when felling a tree. One ring equals one year.

When is determining the age of a weeping willow important?

For example, if a tree is injured in a car accident, the amount of the fine depends on the age of the tree. The older he was, the higher the amount.

Category:

Trees