Salix alba L. var. vitellina L., Stokes

Common name(s): Golden Willow, Golden Upright Willow

Family: Salicaceae Synonym(s): Salix alba L. subsp. vitellina L., Arcang., Salix vitellina L.
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Plant
Plant
Taken by Ken Harrington
Juvenile_leaf
Juvenile Leaf
Taken by Ken Harrington on 16th September, 2020 at Mt. Torrens, South Australia
Inflorescence
Inflorescence
Taken by Ken Harrington
Plant_winter
Plant (Winter)
Taken by Ken Harrington on 30th August, 2024 at Mt. Torrens, South Australia
Bark_lower
Bark (Lower)
Taken by Ken Harrington
Leaf_front
Leaf (Front)
Taken by Ken Harrington
Plant
Plant
Taken by Ken Harrington on 27th October, 2024
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Plant Properties
Origin(s)
Albania
  • Albania: Indigenous
Andorra
  • Andorra: Indigenous
Armenia
  • Armenia: Indigenous
Austria
  • Austria: Indigenous
Azerbaijan
  • Azerbaijan: Indigenous
Bahrain
  • Bahrain: Indigenous
Belarus
  • Belarus: Indigenous
Belgium
  • Belgium: Indigenous
Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Bosnia: Indigenous
Bulgaria
  • Bulgaria: Indigenous
Croatia
  • Croatia: Indigenous
Cyprus
  • Cyprus: Indigenous
Czech Republic
  • Czech Rep: Indigenous
Denmark
  • Denmark: Indigenous
Estonia
  • Estonia: Indigenous
Finland
  • Finland: Indigenous
France
  • France: Indigenous
Georgia
  • Georgia: Indigenous
Germany
  • Germany: Indigenous
Greece
  • Greece: Indigenous
Hungary
  • Hungary: Indigenous
Iraq
  • Iraq: Indigenous
Israel
  • Israel: Indigenous
Italy
  • Italy: Indigenous
Jordan
  • Jordan: Indigenous
Kuwait
  • Kuwait: Indigenous
Latvia
  • Latvia: Indigenous
Lebanon
  • Lebanon: Indigenous
Lithuania
  • Lithuania: Indigenous
Luxembourg
  • Luxembourg: Indigenous
Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
  • Macedonia: Indigenous
Malta
  • Malta: Indigenous
Moldova, Republic of
  • Moldova: Indigenous
Monaco
  • Monaco: Indigenous
Netherlands
  • Netherland: Indigenous
Norway
  • Norway: Indigenous
Oman
  • Oman: Indigenous
Palestine, State of
  • Palestine: Indigenous
Poland
  • Poland: Indigenous
Portugal
  • Portugal: Indigenous
Qatar
  • Qatar: Indigenous
Romania
  • Romania: Indigenous
Russian Federation
  • Russia S.E: Indigenous
  • Russia S.W: Indigenous
San Marino
  • San Marino: Indigenous
Saudi Arabia
  • Saudi Arab: Indigenous
Serbia
  • Serbia: Indigenous
Slovakia
  • Slovakia: Indigenous
Slovenia
  • Slovenia: Indigenous
Spain
  • Spain: Indigenous
Sweden
  • Sweden: Indigenous
Switzerland
  • Switzerlan: Indigenous
Turkey
  • Turkey: Indigenous
Ukraine
  • Ukraine: Indigenous
United Arab Emirates
  • Un. Arab E: Indigenous
Yemen
  • Yemen: Indigenous
Plant Type
Deciduous Tree
Deciduous Tree
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Oceanic, Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm, Mediterranean
Oceanic,
Temperate Cool,
Temperate Warm,
Mediterranean
Aspect Range(s)
Sun - Full
Sun - Full
Habitat Range(s)
Deciduous Forests-Temperate, Forest - Temperate, Lakes / Dams / Swamps, Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands, Rivers / Creeks / Streams, Sedge-lands
Deciduous Forests-Temperate,
Forest - Temperate,
Lakes / Dams / Swamps,
Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands,
Rivers / Creeks / Streams,
Sedge-lands
Habitat Zone(s)
Bogs, Foothills, Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's, Lakes / Dams / Swamps, Moist areas, Moist Slopes, Open areas, Riparian areas, Rivers / Creeks / Streams, Scattered, Water sides, Wet Pockets
Bogs,
Foothills,
Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's,
Lakes / Dams / Swamps,
Moist areas,
Moist Slopes,
Open areas,
Riparian areas,
Rivers / Creeks / Streams,
Scattered,
Water sides,
Wet Pockets
Mature Height
10-15m
10-15m
Mature Width
8-9m, 9-10m
8-9m,
9-10m
Plant Shape
Branches Ascending/Erect
Branches Ascending/Erect
Branches Pendulous / Weeping
Branches Pendulous / Weeping
Domed - Broad
Domed - Broad
Branches Ascending/Erect Branches Ascending/Erect,
Branches Pendulous / Weeping Branches Pendulous / Weeping,
Domed - Broad Domed - Broad
Growth Rate
Fast
Fast
Maturity
20-25 yrs, 25-30 yrs, 30-35 yrs, 35-40 yrs
20-25 yrs,
25-30 yrs,
30-35 yrs,
35-40 yrs
Life Span
50-75yrs
50-75yrs
Leaf Properties
Colour (front)
Green
Green
Colour (back)
Blue-green, Green Light, Silver-green
Blue-green,
Green Light,
Silver-green
Colour(s) Autumn
Yellow
Yellow
Shape(s)
Elliptical
Elliptical
Lanceolate
Lanceolate
Elliptical Elliptical,
Lanceolate Lanceolate
Narrow
Narrow
Aroma
None
None
Texture (front)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Leathery
Leathery
Glabrous Glabrous,
Leathery Leathery
Thin
Thin
Texture (back)
Glaucous
Glaucous
Leathery
Leathery
Pubescent
Pubescent
Glaucous Glaucous,
Leathery Leathery,
Pubescent Pubescent
Thin
Thin
Leaf Length(s)
30-40mm, 40-50mm, 50-60mm, 60-70mm, 70-80mm, 80-90mm, 90-100mm, 100-125mm
30-40mm,
40-50mm,
50-60mm,
60-70mm,
70-80mm,
80-90mm,
90-100mm,
100-125mm
Leaf Width(s)
5-6mm, 6-7mm, 7-8mm, 8-9mm, 9-10mm, 10-15mm, 15-20mm, 20-25mm
5-6mm,
6-7mm,
7-8mm,
8-9mm,
9-10mm,
10-15mm,
15-20mm,
20-25mm
Margin
Denticulate
Denticulate
Serrulate
Serrulate
Denticulate Denticulate,
Serrulate Serrulate
Bark / Stem / Culm Properties
Colour(s) Upper
Yellow-gold , Orange , Orange Light
Yellow-gold,
Orange,
Orange Light
Colour(s) Lower
Grey, Grey-brown
Grey,
Grey-brown
Texture(s) Upper
Glabrous
Glabrous
Hairs-Fine
Hairs-Fine
Hairs-Short
Hairs-Short
Glabrous Glabrous,
Hairs-Fine Hairs-Fine,
Hairs-Short Hairs-Short
Trunk / Stem Construction(s)
Wood Fibres / Solid
Wood Fibres / Solid
Wood Fibres / Solid Wood Fibres / Solid
Trunk / Stem / Culm Cross Section
Terete
Terete
Terete Terete
Trunk / Stem Feature(s)
Trunk-multi , Trunk-single
Trunk-multi,
Trunk-single
Trunk / Stem / Culm Diameter
275-300mm, 300-325mm, 325-350mm, 350-375mm, 375-400mm, 400-450mm, 450-500mm, 500-550mm
275-300mm,
300-325mm,
325-350mm,
350-375mm,
375-400mm,
400-450mm,
450-500mm,
500-550mm
Flower Properties
Gender: Male
Time(s)
Spring Early - Spring Mid
Flower Colour(s)
Green, Green-yellow
Green,
Green-yellow
Aroma(s)
None
None
Flowers per Arrangement
many
many
Pollinator(s)
Bees
Bees
Male and Female Flowers, Borne
On Separate Plant
On Separate Plant
Gender: Female
Time(s)
Spring Early - Spring Mid
Flower Colour(s)
Green
Green
Aroma(s)
None
None
Flowers per Arrangement
many
many
Pollinator(s)
Bees
Bees
Male and Female Flowers, Borne
On Separate Plant
On Separate Plant
Fruit Properties
Type
Capsule
Capsule
Capsule Capsule
Outer Colour(s)
Brown Light
Brown Light
Aroma
None
None
Root Properties
Type
Fibrous
Fibrous
Plate
Plate
Fibrous Fibrous,
Plate Plate
Invasiveness
High
High
Soil Properties
Type(s)
Clay, Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam
Clay,
Clay-loam,
Loam,
Sandy-loam
pH Range(s)
Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline, Alkaline
Acid,
Slightly Acid,
Neutral,
Slightly Alkaline,
Alkaline
Condition(s)
Water logged
Water logged
Wet
Wet
Damp
Damp
Moist
Moist
Moist - Dry
Moist - Dry
Water logged Water logged,
Wet Wet,
Damp Damp,
Moist Moist,
Moist - Dry Moist - Dry
Fertile , Deep , Well Drained
Fertile,
Deep,
Well Drained
Salinities
Slight
Slight
Slight Slight
Soil / Water Contamination Tolerance(s)
Grey Water
Grey Water
Waterlogging Class
W3 – High tolerance
W3 – High tolerance
Watering Requirements
WR1 - keep soil wet at all times, WR2 - keep soil moist but never soggy, WR3 - never let soil dry out, WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering, WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering
WR1 - keep soil wet at all times,
WR2 - keep soil moist but never soggy,
WR3 - never let soil dry out,
WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering,
WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering
Other Properties / Uses
Bee Attraction
Moderate
Moderate
Bird Attraction
Insect, Habitat
Insect,
Habitat
Butterfly Attraction
None
None
Frog Habitat
None
None
Coastal
None
None
Edible(s)
None
None
Fire Retarding
None
None
Drought Tolerance
Poor
Poor
Frost Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Snow Tolerance
None
None
Landscape Use
Moderate
Moderate
Maintenance(s)
Cut Back - Late Spring, Cut Back - Late Autumn, Cut Back - Late Summer, Pruning - Canopy Lift, Pruning - Formative, Pruning - Periodical, Pruning - Shaping
Cut Back - Late Spring,
Cut Back - Late Autumn,
Cut Back - Late Summer,
Pruning - Canopy Lift,
Pruning - Formative,
Pruning - Periodical,
Pruning - Shaping
Pests/Diseases
Aphid, Borers, Canker, Mildew, Scale
Aphid,
Borers,
Canker,
Mildew,
Scale
Special Purpose(s)
Garden-Park land, Coppiced, Aquatic Nutrient Stripper, Garden-Bonsai, Drain Clogger, Garden-Formal, Garden-Informal, Garden-Water, Litter Issue - Leaves, Playground Friendly, Pond Edge, Rampant, Screen, Shade Tolerant, Shade tree-Medium, Shady Moist, Soil Binder, Sunny Moist, Temporary Inundation, Tolerant-Cockatoo's, Tolerant-Deer, Tolerant-Kangaroo's, Tolerant-Parrot's, Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares, Weeping, Windbreak
Garden-Park land,
Coppiced,
Aquatic Nutrient Stripper,
Garden-Bonsai,
Drain Clogger,
Garden-Formal,
Garden-Informal,
Garden-Water,
Litter Issue - Leaves,
Playground Friendly,
Pond Edge,
Rampant,
Screen,
Shade Tolerant,
Shade tree-Medium,
Shady Moist,
Soil Binder,
Sunny Moist,
Temporary Inundation,
Tolerant-Cockatoo's,
Tolerant-Deer,
Tolerant-Kangaroo's,
Tolerant-Parrot's,
Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares,
Weeping,
Windbreak
Fertilising Requirements
FR6, FR11
FR6,
FR11
Wind Tolerance
Moderate Winds
Moderate Winds
Weed Potential(s)
Australia
  • SA: Naturalised
  • NSW: Environmental Weed
  • TAS: Environmental Weed
  • VIC: Environmental Weed
New Zealand
  • N.Z.: Naturalised

General Notes

A large upright willow that has become a weed in many areas with waterways. It does make a lovely cool shade tree in a large garden or landscape, displaying golden yellow branches in the winter time. Ideal for wet areas, low lying, stream or pond banks.

Several cultivars are available

  • Salix alba var. vitellina 'Britzensis', Coral Bark Willow, Scarlet Willow, medium tree, bright red new stems
  • Salix alba var. vitellina 'Yelverton', Golden Willow, medium tree/shrub, bright red-orange, yellow-orange new stems, RHS Award of Garden Merit.
  • Salix albo var. vitellina 'Chermesina', new red stems, golden autumn foliage