Activities and Facilities > Great Trees > Weeping Willow on Randall's Island

Weeping Willow on Randall's Island

Borough: Manhattan
Community Board: 11
Designated: 2024

Tree Details

Species: Weeping willow (Salix babylonica)
Trunk Diameter 31 Inches

During a warm spring day in 2021, a small group of people dressed in formal wear gathered under the weeping willow by the waters edge of the Hell Gate channel. During the global COVID-19 pandemic, this tree served as the location for a small wedding! At a time when, due to a global pandemic, many venues and traditional spaces were unavailable, this young couple and a few friends and family used this quiet place of respite and calm to celebrate and sanctify their love.

This willow may be younger than other Great Trees of New York City, but it offers visitors shade from the blistering summer sun and provides shoreline stability from the swift currents of the adjacent Hell Gate channel. 

Location

Wards Island Park
Southeast of Wards Meadow Loop, across from Hell Gate channel

See this tree on the NYC Tree Map or visit our Great Trees page for more Great Trees

Get Involved

a group of volunteers pat down on the soil of a tree on the side walk

Stewardship

Many of these Great Trees are older and need your help in order to ensure their future. Volunteer with our and become a tree steward, to help these trees and many others thrive for generations to come.

Become a steward

tree canopy of a great tree against the sunshine in the back

Protect the Great Trees

NYC Parks Tree Time maintains the list of Great Trees of New York City. Tree Time, a program of NYC Parks and the City Parks Foundation, was established in 1994 to protect, preserve, and enhance NYC's street, park, and forest trees. If you wish to help preserve and protect our heritage trees, you can make a tax-deductible donation to ensure they receive the specialized care they deserve.

Learn more