Most trees grow upwards towards the sun, but some, like the weeping willow, have branches that droop down towards the ground. This drooping, or "weeping," is caused by genetic mutations affecting hormone production in the tree. While the exact benefits of this mutation are unclear, humans have propagated weeping trees for their aesthetic appeal and symbolic significance. Weeping trees, found in various species like willows, hemlocks, and beeches, are often associated with resilience, femininity, hope, and grief in different cultures.
Vocabulary
• Trunk: the main stem of a tree.
• Droop: to bend or hang downward limply.
• Hormones: chemical substances produced in the body that control and regulate various bodily functions.
• Mutation: a change in the genetic material of an organism.
• Cultivated: grown and maintained for aesthetic or agricultural purposes.
• Resilience: the ability to recover quickly from difficulties or challenges.
Source: MinuteEarth