Key features
Final size25m x 8m in 20 years
FoliageGreen on top, blue-green underneath with silvery-white hairs
FlowersYellow and green catkins in early spring
PositionFull sun
SoilWet-tolerant
Description
Salix alba is one of the largest species of willow, capable of reaching an approximate height of 25 metres and a spread of 8 metres at maturity. The leaves are slender and pointed, up to 10 centimetres in length. They are green on top and have a blue-green, silky texture on the underside from their silvery-white hairs. This gives the tree a pale appearance from a distance, hence its common name, White Willow. Yellow and green catkins are produced in early spring, with male and female catkins growing on separate trees. As a deciduous tree, its leaves turn yellow in autumn before falling.
The White Willow is native to the UK and thrives in full sun but can also tolerate high levels of moisture, making it suitable for soils with poor drainage.
AKA White Willow, Huntingdon Willow, Swallow-tailed Willow
Planting Steps
1Preparation
- Pot-grown plants can be planted at any time of year, whereas bare roots need to be planted between November and March.
- Clear weeds and grass within a metre of the planting hole.
- Dig a hole as deep as the root mass and twice as wide.
- To help your plant establish more effectively, sprinkle Rootgrow in the hole.
2Planting
- Gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole.
- Ensure the top of the plant’s compost is flush with the level of the surrounding soil and the graft union or collar of the tree is above ground level.
- Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost.
- Fill in the hole, firming the soil gently.
3Last Steps
- Water generously around the base of the plant.
- If you are planting either a single stem tree or mature standard tree, we recommend adding a staking kit and rabbit guard.
Aftercare Advice
Trees and shrubs require a good watering regime for a couple of years whilst they establish. Water well and regularly through spring and summer, increasing in hot or dry weather. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little. It is advisable to keep the area free of competing weeds and grass during this period.
For more detailed advice and video guides, please visit our Help & Advice section.
