Because willows love moisture they do well along banks of streams and are useful to control soil erosion. Planted alone, Weeping Willows are spectacular as specimens for the yard. You just must be careful to select the proper spot for your Willow tree. You should not locate a willow any closer to a water source than 200 to 300 feet. Their roots can search out and destroy a septic field or a sewer line.

The contorted willows can be used as specimens or can serve as an accent at the end of a flower bed.

Because Willows are relatively short-lived ( 12 to 15 years), some landscaper will interplant Willows with other longer living trees which grow more slowly but will take over the space as the Willows die off.