Laurel-Leaf Willow

About Laurel-Leaf Willow in Alberta

Laurel-leaf willow is an introduced Alberta willow of Eurasian origin that has become practically important through planting rather than native occurrence. In Alberta it is chiefly a shelterbelt, park, farmyard, and landscape willow, valued for its broad highly glossy leaves, substantial size, and strong performance where moisture is adequate. For Ancient Roots Alberta, its significance is cultural and landscape-historic rather than native-ecological, with the strongest value in mature shelterbelts, old municipal plantings, and long-standing farmstead trees.

Identification: Leaves are broader than those of many willows, elliptic or ovate to lanceolate, with a highly glossy dark green upper surface. The lower surface is pale, not glaucous, and glabrous, and the texture is somewhat leathery. Leaves often persist relatively late into fall.

Alberta range and habitat: There is no strong current evidence for widespread truly wild Alberta populations. Presence in Alberta is mainly cultivated or persistent from planting, with only possible localized escape or semi-persistence outside cultivation.