About

This medium-sized, deciduous tree of upright, open habit with narrow, spirally-curled, green leaves that are twisted around the straight stems. Small, yellowish catkins are borne in spring.

About the genus

Salix are deciduous shrubs and trees of diverse habit, with simple leaves and tiny flowers in catkins, male and female usually on separate plants. Some are valued for their brightly coloured winter shoots, others for their foliage or showy male catkins

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeTrees
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

CultivationGrow in moderately fertile deep soil in full sun
PruningPruning group 1. Suitable for hard pruning to rejuvenate or for pollarding
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or hardwood cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, leaf beetles, sawflies, willow scale
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to willow anthracnose, scab, canker, honey fungus and rust