Salix caprea (Goat Willow)


Botanical Information

FamilySalicaceae
GenusSalix
Speciescaprea
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (deciduous)
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone4-8
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone5-9
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-28
Temperature (°F)-20
Height10 m
Spread4 m
GrowthFast
Flowering PeriodApril

Description and Growing Information

ID Characteristic1 cm male catkins in March and early April, purplish-brown buds.
ShapeRounded crown.
PropagationCuttings placed in moist soil will start to root in a few weeks. Cuttings will also root in a vase of water.
CultivationSalix caprea roots very easily. Cuttings placed in moist soil are likely to produce roots within a few weeks. Likes full sun and moist soils.
PestsSusceptible to galls, leaves are eaten by browsing mammals.
Notable SpecimensSt Agnes Head, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
HabitatGrows along the sunny edges of woodlands, along lake shores and river banks.
Bark/Stem DescriptionYellowish brown stems with rough fissured brown older bark.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description5 - 10 mm long purplish brown.
Leaf DescriptionDark green spring colour, yellow autumn colour. Alternate leaf arrangement, simple leaves 5-10cm long and 2.5 - 5 cm wide.
Flower DescriptionCatkins are surrounded by blackish scales, the catkins are densely haired with yellow anthers.
Fruit DescriptionGreenish brown small capsule 5 - 10 mm with white fluff on the seeds. Long.
Colour DescriptionDark green summer foliage followed by yellow autumn foilage with Dark brown bark.
Texture DescriptionMedium-fine.

Photographs