White Willow

About White Willow in Alberta

White Willow is an introduced Eurasian tree willow that can grow in Alberta but is mainly represented there in cultivation rather than as a documented wild tree. In Alberta the strongest practical story is not plain species planting so much as cultivar-driven use, especially through Golden Willow, Salix alba 'Vitellina', in municipal landscapes, restoration work, and large wet-site plantings. It is best recognized by its large tree-willow size, narrow lanceolate leaves with pale silky undersides, and in Golden Willow forms, strongly yellow winter branchlets. For ARA purposes, it matters mainly as a planted riverside, park, and restoration tree rather than as a native riparian species.

Identification: Leaves are alternate, narrow lanceolate, and finely serrulate. The upper surface is medium to dark green, while the underside is paler and often silky or whitish, which helps explain the common name.

Alberta range and habitat: White Willow should not be treated as a well-documented naturalized Alberta wild tree. The current evidence supports introduced planted status, not a secure wild Alberta range.