White Willow
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

A large tree with low-hanging, long branches, reaching heights of 75-100' tall and spreading to 50-100' wide. Forms a broad, round-topped crown with slender twigs and branches. Picturesque growth habit with age. Grows very fast, 3-4' per year. Most willows tend to be relatively short-lived.

Native Range

Native from central to southern Europe to Western Siberia and central Asia. Long-cultivated, and now naturalized in North America, but not native to here.

Flower and Fruit Details

Flowers are dioecious, with both sexes borne in upright catkins, and are pollinated by wind and insects. Male flowers are quite showy, resembling flowers of the Pussy Willow. Catkins are 1.75-2.25" long. Fruit is a 2-valved capsule, containing many cottony or hairy, silky seeds. Not showy.

Leaf and Bark Features

Deciduous: Leaves are alternate, simple, lanceolate, 1.5-4" long, 1/4-5/8" wide, serrulate, bright green above, silky and silvery-glaucous on the underside. Petiole is 1/4-1/2" long, with small glands. Lanceolate stipules. Early to leaf out in the spring. Golden yellow fall color, varies by tree. Notable Bark: Bark is yellowish-brown to brown, somewhat corky, with both ridges and furrows as it ages.

Culture and Care

Easy to transplant due to the suckering, fibrous root system. Prefers moist soils and full sun. This willow is pH adaptable, but highly alkaline soils should be avoided. Usually does well if planted near water. Zones 2-8. Willows are beset by many insect and disease problems, leading to their decline at an early age. Problems include various cankers, leaf spots, bacterial crown gall, twig blights, anthracnose, powdery mildew, rust, aphids, leaf beetles and lacebugs.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

Good wildlife value. 4-season interest: Spring, summer, fall, winter. Brittle branches make it susceptible to wind and ice storms. Also, the surface root system out-competes other desired vegetation.

Suggested Uses

Often used in moist, wet places where other plants may not thrive. Looks great when planted near a pond, lake, stream, or other water feature, where it will usually perform well.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA