Scouler's Willow

About Scouler's Willow in Alberta

Scouler's Willow is a native Alberta tall shrub to small tree that is most strongly associated with boreal and foothill landscapes, especially forest openings, slopes, burns, meadow edges, and other disturbed or transitional upland sites. Unlike many willows, it is not primarily a floodplain or wet-bank species. For Ancient Roots Alberta purposes, it matters most as a native disturbance-response willow with strong ecological value in foothill and boreal settings, where unusually large old specimens or persistent browse stands can be especially meaningful.

Identification: Leaves are broader and tougher than those of many narrow riparian willows, usually obovate to oblanceolate and often somewhat leathery in feel. Margins may be entire or occasionally serrate. Leaf undersides and young growth often show appressed reddish hairs, which can be useful for close identification.

Alberta range and habitat: Scouler's Willow is native to Alberta and is best understood as a boreal and foothill species. It is most likely to occur in forest openings, disturbed slopes, meadow edges, burns, cutblocks, and transitional zones near but often above wetter riparian ground.