The weeping willow looked perfect in the nursery: graceful branches, fast growth, the kind of tree that makes a yard look like a painting. You picture it right beside the back porch. Then an older neighbor sees it in your cart and shakes her head. “Not there,” she says. “That tree brings bad luck.”
This is not your fault. Old sayings about trees tend to sound like pure folklore, so it’s easy to laugh them off. But the warning about planting a weeping willow close to the house has two sides: an old superstition, and a very practical problem that tree experts still talk about today.
Where the willow superstition comes from
The belief shows up in old American folklore. The collection Kentucky Superstitions, compiled by Daniel Lindsey Thomas and Lucy Blayney Thomas, records the saying “To plant a weeping willow causes bad luck,” along with another warning that if you plant a weeping willow tree, “you will be an old maid.”
Part of the gloom comes from where willows are often found. A folk belief recorded in the University of Southern California’s folklore archive notes that the tree’s frequent appearance in graveyards makes it seem ominous.
The practical problem behind the warning
Superstition aside, a willow by the foundation can cause real trouble. In an answer to a homeowner with two young willows planted within 10 feet of her house, the University of Maryland Extension’s Home and Garden Information Center explained the risks:
- Pipes: Tree roots “cannot break into intact pipes, but could take advantage of already-cracked pipes or leaking pipe joints.” Because willows like moisture, they may be among the first trees to exploit that damage.
- Pavement and foundations: Aggressive roots can buckle pavement or invade foundations that are already cracked.
- Shallow roots: Willows can have relatively shallow roots as part of their normal growth.
- Size: Willows tend to mature into large trees, which can bring a risk of breaking limbs near the house.
In other words, the superstition may have stuck around because it happened to give sensible advice. A tree that seeks out moisture and grows large is a poor match for a spot right next to your sewer line and roof. If you’re already pruning back a big tree, those pruning scraps can go back into the garden.
What to do if you already have one
Don’t panic and cut it down overnight. The Maryland extension experts didn’t give a set distance or tell the homeowner to remove the tree. Instead, they suggested asking a certified arborist about the root risks for that specific site.
An arborist can look at the tree’s size, how close it is to pipes and the foundation, and the condition of the limbs. If you have slow drains or cracks near a willow, have a plumber or foundation professional check them too, since roots usually take advantage of damage that’s already there. Before planting a new tree near the house, ask your local extension office which species suit that spot.
Enjoy willows where they have room to spread, and keep them away from the house. That’s the trick.
