Salix caprea
Goat Willow
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
Average mature size of 15-25' tall and 12-15' wide. Fast growth rate, 3-6' per year. Short lived, mature in 25 years.
Native Range
native to Europe and northeastern Asia.
Flower and Fruit Details
Flowers are 1-2" long catkins, appearing in March to early April. Fruits are strobiles, 1" long, releasing minute seeds with long, tufted white hairs.
Leaf and Bark Features
Yellow fall color. Bark is smooth, yellowish-brown young stems, becoming dark brown and irregulary scaly with age.
Culture and Care
Easily propagated. Loves wet soil, full sun, pH adaptable. Zones 4-8. Susceptible to numerous problems such as bacterial twig blight, many cankers, mottled willow borer, willow shoot sawfly and many other selected insects.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
This species is often confused with S. discolor Muhl, the true pussy willow.