Peachleaf Willow

About Peachleaf Willow in Alberta

Peachleaf Willow is a native Alberta tree willow most strongly associated with southern and southeastern riparian landscapes, especially floodplains, backwaters, pond margins, and other moist lowland settings. In Alberta it matters most as a wild river-valley species rather than a common ornamental tree. For Ancient Roots Alberta purposes, it is important because it can form unusually tree-like native willows in prairie and southern riparian systems, making large old specimens and remnant floodplain survivors especially worth documenting.

Identification: Leaves are long, narrow, and peach-like in outline, ranging from very narrowly elliptic to lanceolate or strap-like. Margins are finely serrulate, the tips taper to a long point, the upper surface is dull, and the underside is distinctly glaucous and smooth. The pale glaucous underside is one of the most useful close ID traits.

Alberta range and habitat: Peachleaf Willow is native to Alberta and is best understood as a southern and southeastern Alberta riparian species. The strongest Alberta support places it in river valleys, floodplains, overflow channels, backwaters, pond margins, lake margins, and woody draws rather than as a province-wide dominant willow.