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.

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington

Juvenile Leaf

Taken by Ken Harrington on 16th September, 2020 at Mt. Torrens, South Australia

Inflorescence

Taken by Ken Harrington

Plant (Winter)

Taken by Ken Harrington on 30th August, 2024 at Mt. Torrens, South Australia

Bark (Lower)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Leaf (Front)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington on 27th October, 2024

Expand all

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

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Oceanic, Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm, Mediterranean

Oceanic,

Temperate Cool,

Temperate Warm,

Mediterranean

Aspect Range(s)

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

Mature Width

8-9m, 9-10m

8-9m,

9-10m

Plant Shape

Branches Ascending/Erect

Branches Pendulous / Weeping

Domed - Broad

Branches Ascending/Erect,

Branches Pendulous / Weeping,

Domed - Broad

Growth Rate

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

Leaf Properties

Juvenile Leaf Colour(s) (front)

Green Light

Colour (front)

Green

Colour (back)

Blue-green, Green Light, Silver-green

Blue-green,

Green Light,

Silver-green

Colour(s) Autumn

Yellow

Shape(s)

Elliptical

Lanceolate

Elliptical,

Lanceolate

Narrow

Aroma

None

Texture (front)

Glabrous

Leathery

Glabrous,

Leathery

Thin

Texture (back)

Glaucous

Leathery

Pubescent

Glaucous,

Leathery,

Pubescent

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

Serrulate

Denticulate,

Serrulate

Cross Section(s)

Flat Back-ribbed

Venation(s)

Pinnate

Arrangement

Alternate & Spiralled

Apice(s)

Acuminate Narrow

Base(s)

Attenuate

Cuneate

Attenuate,

Cuneate

Attachment

Petiolate

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

Hairs-Fine

Hairs-Short

Glabrous,

Hairs-Fine,

Hairs-Short

Textures(s) Lower

Furrowed

Rough / Scabrous

Furrowed,

Rough / Scabrous

Coarse , Furrowed-Deep

Coarse,

Furrowed-Deep

Trunk / Stem Construction(s)

Wood Fibres / Solid

Trunk / Stem / Culm Cross Section

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

Flower Size(s) Width

4-5mm

Aroma(s)

None

Attachment

Pedicelate

Arrangement(s)

Catkin

Axillary

Arrangement Size(s)

30-40mm, 40-50mm, 50-60mm

30-40mm,

40-50mm,

50-60mm

Flowers per Arrangement

many

Pollinator(s)

Bees

Male and Female Flowers, Borne

On Separate Plant

Stamen Number

2-6

Gender: Female

Time(s)

Spring Early - Spring Mid

Flower Colour(s)

Green

Flower Size(s) Width

2-3mm

Aroma(s)

None

Arrangement(s)

Catkin

Axillary

Arrangement Size(s)

30-40mm, 40-50mm, 50-60mm, 60-70mm, 70-80mm, 80-90mm

30-40mm,

40-50mm,

50-60mm,

60-70mm,

70-80mm,

80-90mm

Flowers per Arrangement

many

Pollinator(s)

Bees

Male and Female Flowers, Borne

On Separate Plant

Fruit Properties

Type

Capsule

Outer Colour(s)

Brown Light

Length

3-4mm

Aroma

None

Seed Properties

Seed Appendage

Pappus

Seed Dispersal

Wind

Seed Number

many

Root Properties

Type

Fibrous

Plate

Fibrous,

Plate

Texture

Fibrous

Knobbly , Woody

Knobbly,

Woody

Colour(s)

Brown Dark, Brown-black

Brown Dark,

Brown-black

Invasiveness

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

Wet

Damp

Moist

Moist - Dry

Water logged,

Wet,

Damp,

Moist,

Moist - Dry

Fertile , Deep , Well Drained

Fertile,

Deep,

Well Drained

Salinities

Slight

Soil / Water Contamination Tolerance(s)

Grey Water

Waterlogging Class

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

Bird Attraction

Insect, Habitat

Insect,

Habitat

Butterfly Attraction

None

Frog Habitat

None

Carbon Sequestration Potential

Low

Wood Density

Low 200 - 400 kg/c.m.

Coastal

None

Edible(s)

None

Fire Retarding

None

Drought Tolerance

Poor

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

Snow Tolerance

None

Minimum Temperature Tolerance

-10 - -8°C

Smog Tolerant

Good

Landscape Use

Moderate

Street Use

None

Commercial Use(s)

Horticulture - Amenity

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

Dormancy

Winter

Humidity Requirements

Medium, High

Medium,

High

Vulnerability

LC - Least Concern

Altitude Range - Habitat

0-100m, 100-200m, 200-300m, 300-400m, 400-500m, 500-600m, 600-700m, 700-800m, 800-900m, 900-1,000m

0-100m,

100-200m,

200-300m,

300-400m,

400-500m,

500-600m,

600-700m,

700-800m,

800-900m,

900-1,000m

Annual Precipitation Range

500mm, 550mm, 600mm, 650mm, 700mm, 750mm, 800mm, 850mm, 900mm, 950mm, 1,000mm, 1,100mm, 1,200mm, 1,300mm, 1,400mm, 1,5oomm

500mm,

550mm,

600mm,

650mm,

700mm,

750mm,

800mm,

850mm,

900mm,

950mm,

1,000mm,

1,100mm,

1,200mm,

1,300mm,

1,400mm,

1,5oomm

Fertilising Requirements

FR6, FR11

FR6,

FR11

Wind Tolerance

Moderate Winds

Propagation

Hardwood Cuttings, Fresh Seed

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

Propagation Notes

Expand all

Fresh Seed

Flowering

Spring Early, Spring Mid

Seed Collecting

Summer Early, Spring Late

Sowing

Summer Early, Spring Late

Material Preparation

Seed collecting can be very tedious. Seed is shed very quickly from the capsule once dry. Collect seed when the fluffy pappus appears and dry fully in a warm place. Clean. Store in a cool dark place before sowing.

Viability:- 7 - 14 days (98%)

Seeds/gram:-

Propagating Mix

Premium Seed Raising Mix

Treatment

Sow seed, cover lightly with mix and fine gravel, water in, keep moist, place outside in a sheltered location or cold house if required. Optimal temperature for germination is 18-25^o C

Viable seeds/gram:-

Germination time:-

Pricking out:-

Tube Mix:- Premium Seed Raising Mix

Semi-hardwood Cuttings

Flowering

Spring Early, Spring Mid

Cutting

Winter

Material Preparation

Collect health stem or tip cuttings of firm wood, 10 - 20mm thick, 200 - 250mm long. Cut just below bottom node and just above top node. Keep moist by misting cuttings or place in a bowl of water.

Propagating Mix

1 part Cocopeat + 1 part Perlite

Treatment

Keep hydrated during prep. Water 200mm pot of mix and thoroughly wet with Previcur fungicide. Dip prepared cutting in Easiroot. Using a dibber, press gently into pot, down till the cutting is stable or to at least the 2nd node at mix level. Mist frequently while continuing cutting process. Place in a coldhouse. Spray fortnightly with fungicide. Keep in bright but indirect light.

Strike Rate:- Field Stock 70 - 80%

Nursery Stock 80 - 95%

Rooting time:- Field Stock 8 - 12 weeks

Nursery Stock 8 - 12 weeks

Pot Mix:- Premium Potting Mix

Notes

Larger sets can be taken from a tree 1 - 3.5m long and 20 - 35mm thick. Bury into the soil at the required location deep enough to stand by itself and keep moist at all times. It will take root easily.