Salix alba

Salicaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced

Last updated May 27, 2026

White willow is a medium to large deciduous tree native to Europe, central Asia, and northern Africa, reaching 50-80 feet tall with erect branching and a loose, broad crown. Its bark is yellowish-brown; leaves are medium to dark green on the upper surface and silky white underneath (hence the name). The dioecious flowers appear in catkins in early spring.

Salix alba tolerates moist to wet soils and thrives in full sun, preferring neutral to alkaline conditions with good drainage. It is fast-growing but relatively short-lived and susceptible to multiple diseases including watermark disease, twig blight, rust, and canker. Several cultivars are available, including 'Tristis' (Golden Weeping) and 'Niobe', both prized for foliage effect and weeping form.

Plant Profile

Size & Form

Height

70 ft

Spread

32 ft

Growth Rate

Fast

Size at 20 yr

45 ft

Lifespan

Moderate

Site Requirements

Light

Full Sun

Soil Drainage

Wet Tolerant

Soil pH

5.2-7.8

Water

High

Drought Tolerance

Low

Hardiness

Zones 4a–9b

Ornamental Interest

Bloom Time

April to May

Fall Color

Yes

Origin

TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus, Iran

RustHigh

Uredinial Stage (Summer)

Wood DecayHigh

Wound Infection Window

AphidHigh

Peak Population & Dispersal

Fall webwormHigh

Larval Feeding & Web Building

+ 4 more — see full disease and pest lists below

Diseases: Regionally Documented (10)

Venturia spp. Twig blight (Venturia) Multiple genera (Melampsoridium, Thekopsora, Naohidemyces... Rust Marssonina spp. Marssonina leaf and twig spot Pseudomonas syringae (bacterial) Bacterial twig blight Symptom category — not a single disease Canker Rhizobium radiobacter (formerly Agrobacterium tumefaciens) Crown Gall Symptom category — not a single disease Leaf Spot Chondrostereum purpureum Silver Leaf Venturia spp. or Fusicladium spp. (specific oak pathogen ... Twig Blight (Scab) Multiple Basidiomycete fungi cause wood decay in trees Wood Decay

Pests: Regionally Documented (12)

Nymphalis antiopa Spiny elm caterpillar Leucoma salicis Satin moth Cryptorhynchus lapathi Poplar and willow borer Prionoxystus robiniae Carpenterworm Aphidoidea Aphid Acanthococcus azaleae Azalea bark scale Hyphantria cunea Fall webworm Chrysomelidae: Alticini Flea beetle Lepidosaphes ulmi Oystershell scale Malacosoma spp. Tent caterpillar Rabdophaga rigidae Willow beaked-gall midge Tuberolachnus salignus Giant willow aphid

Phenological Calendar

View full calendar (7 stages)

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
Bud break BBCH 07	Feb 15-Mar 15	Buds swelling and beginning to open; first green tissue visible
Bloom start BBCH 61	Mar 1-Mar 31	First open flowers visible; flowers yellow
Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69	Apr 1-Apr 15	Last petals falling; flower structures fading
Leaf emergence BBCH 11	Mar 1-Apr 1	First leaves fully unfurled on new growth
Fruit/seed development BBCH 71	Mar 15-May 31	Fruit or seed structures forming; fruit color: white
Fall color / leaf senescence BBCH 93	Oct 1-Nov 15	Leaves changing color; fall display beginning
Dormancy BBCH 97	Nov 15-Feb 28	Leafless; no active growth; dormant buds set

Cultivars (2)

'Tristis'

Common name: Golden Weeping Willow White WillowNiobe Weeping Willow; Mature height: 50–75 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

'Niobe'

Data Maturity

Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.