Weeping willows

First off, I have no idea if this BELONGS here, but this seems the most logical and the most likely place to get replies.

I am working on a picture - traditional media - pencil and paper. However I am deadset on using weeping willow tendrils in the backround. Problem is:

A. I have never been close enough to touch a Weeping willow. Thus, don't know what they actually look like aside from long tendrils touching the ground.

B. I have no idea how I will represent the numerous long skinny leaves on long, skinny branches without breaking myself.(At a scale of 2cm to 6 inches, breaking kinda thing. Meaning that on paper a leaf would only be about 2cm or 1/3 inch long.)

Now - I'd add them digitally - but I'm weird, I like my art being as pretty in real life as it is on paper - I don't mind splicing images, but I will not digitally add the backround - it feels dirty to me.

Good people of PD! I Call on you for massive helps! My brain went into overdrive overnight to figure this out - I failed. I'm hoping better, or more insane artists have figured out a way to conceive the Tree(Or it's siblings) as looking real in a flat perspective. Either Is good .

(Insane is used as a light term, as in you'd have to be nuts to try somthing like that.)

I would say to reference your work.  There are many really good photos of weeping willow foliage out there and you might  be able to get a good feel for the look you are hoping to achieve that way.

my dad has a phd in plants and bugs, I could get a picture and some tips from him if you want. He can tell you what to put in so that even a scientist can identify it as a weeping willow. I use him for that kind of stuff alot, so he's gotten used to it. XD

I think I may have a solution to my problem - note that word - I'll get back shortly.

It involves the use of a single stamp - many times.