White Willow Salix alba 'Tristis'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called White Willow:
- Phonetic Spelling
- SEE-liks AL-ba TRIS-tis
- Description
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Golden Weeping Willow is a cultivar with bright yellow twigs and an attractive weeping form. Brought to the US from its native locations, it has taken off and has naturalized in many US locations. It is considered to be the top choice when looking for a weeping willow for the home landscape. Its golden weeping form makes an excellent specimen tree. Grow in full sun while avoiding dry soil.
Maintenance can be time-consuming. Breakage of the weak wood and branch structure, spreading roots, and leaf litter can make this tree high maintenance. Ice and snow can also damage the branches. Caution should be used when locating this tree as its shallow, invasive root system can create havoc on your sewer and water pipes. However, it may grow in somewhat wet areas where other species will not grow.
Prune late winter into early spring. Willows are one of the first plants to leaf out in the springtime.
This is a dioecious species, having both male and female plants. Blooms appear on both the male and female trees in late spring. The flowers of the male are tiny and have yellowish anthers and two stamens. These male blooms can be quite showy. The female flowers are green in color, smaller than the male, and not showy.
Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Powdery mildew, blights, leaf spot are diseases affecting this tree. Aphids, scale, borers, lace bugs, and caterpillars are insects to watch for.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- alba
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, central Asia and northern Africa.
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts birds and insect pollinators.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Textural
- Dimensions:
- Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 75 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 50 ft. 0 in. - 75 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Open
- Rounded
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are a two-valved capsule.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The 4" leaves are gray-green on top and a white on the underside. The fall colors may be showy.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Bark Description:
- The bark is a yellow-brown in color.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Erosion
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Frequent Disease Problems
- Frequent Insect Problems
- Messy
- Weak Wood
