Silver Willow

Salix alba (SAL-iks AL-ba ser-ISS-ee-uh)

Family: Salicaceae Non-native Canopy (>40 ft)

Silver Willow is a medium-sized, bushy, fast growing, flowering tree in the willow family native to Europe and Northern Africa. At maturity, it can reach 80 feet tall with a 60 foot spread. The crown is broad, loose, and rounded with low, pendulous branches. The leaves are long and thin with serrated edges and the undersides are silvery-white and downy. The intense silvery hue of its leaves is conspicuous at long distances. In fall, the leaves turn a pale yellow. The stems are dark green to brown and covered in thin hairs. Unique among willows, small round "glands" appear where the petiole and leaf base align. The genus name is the Latin name for this plant. The species name is Latin for white. The variety, sericea, was given because of the silver foliage and the soft, silky hairs on the leaves. White Willow trees prefer full sun and moderately fertile soil types. The tree needs ample moisture to properly grow and survive. In the wild, they are often found along rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. Prune as needed in late winter to early spring. The wood is weak and tends to crack and branches can be damaged by ice and snow. The roots are shallow and can make gardening underneath trees difficult. For these reasons, it is not usually recommended as a shade tree in the landscape. However, if the site is wet, White Willow can be a good choice. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to blights, powdery mildew, leaf spots and cankers. Insect pests include aphids, scale, borers, lacebugs and caterpillars. More information on Salix .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 62 attributes.