In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw a Willow Tree in 4 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.
The images above represents how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.
Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.
At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Willow Tree.
Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.
How to Draw a Willow Tree - Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: First you are going to draw the trunk. Draw a line going up and down and make it curve out towards the bottom. Leave a little bit of space and do the same thing to the other side but this time make it curve inward in the middle and then curve it out at the bottom. Draw small lines throughout the middle of the trunk to make it look more like a trunk.
Step 2: Next, draw the roots of the tree. These are different than most trees because the roots are thick and you can see them from above the ground. Draw a wavy line that slants down, coming out of the bottom of your trunk. Do the same thing to the other side. You can make a curved spike to really show the roots. Now draw a wavy line along the bottom that connects the roots together.
Step 3: Now it’s time to draw the outline of the leaves. Draw two curved lines for the sides of the tree and connect them with another curved line along the top. Now, draw long spikes across the bottom to close the tree. The spikes are the long leaves that hang from the tree.
Step 4: To finish up, go throughout the tree and add leaves. Draw a triangle facing downward but don’t draw the top line, instead connect the triangle at the top with two small humps. Repeat this step until you have as many leaves as you want.
Interesting Facts about Willow Trees
A Willow tree is a tree that is common in folktales and literature. Willow branches are known to droop down from the weight of their leaves. Willows grow in North America, Europe, and Asia. They grow to 40 feet tall. Depending on where they grow a Willow can be a tree, a shrub, or what is called a “creeping shrub.” In colder climates like the Artic, that is exactly how Willow plants grow. They just sort of “creep” around on the ground. In warmer climates like the North American south, the Willow Tree can grow 10 feet a year. That means it can be a really big tree and great for shade in hot weather. A common name in America for the Willow tree is “the Weeping Willow.” Willow leaves are small and skinny, but the wood on a Willow tree is flexible.
Did you know?
- There are 400 species of Willow Tree.
- In folk medicine, the bark of a Willow Tree is seeped for tea. The tea is used as a pain relief and for stomach problems.
- Willow trees were brought back from China. They are the symbol of immortality and rebirth.
- Most Willow trees live for 30 years. That’s really short life for a tree.
- Willow wood is used for lots of products, things like flutes, Cricket (European Baseball) bats, boxes, and fish traps.
Activity: Along with the products mentioned, Willow bark is used to make artist’s charcoal. Introduce children to the beauty of charcoal drawings by teaching them how to draw with charcoal. A great beginner’s drawing is the Weeping Willow.
How to Draw a Willow Tree – Step-by-Step Tutorial