WSU Clark County Extension
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Pacific Willow

Scientific name: Salix lucida
Taxonomy
Family:Salicaceae
Type:Deciduous tree
Native:YES
Plant Requirements
Zone:3 to 9
Sun:Full sun
Plant Characteristics
Height:50 ft
Width:30 ft
Bloom:Spring flowers
Bloom Time:May to June
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description Pacific Willow is one of the tallest of all the different wild species. Land managers use it extensively for stabilizing stream banks. Dormant stems can be simply pounded into the ground where they will take root.

  Morphology:
Pacific Willow is a deciduous tree that can attain a height of 20’-60’. It bears alternate leaves, simple and narrowly elliptic in shape and 2”-6” in length. The upper leaf surfaces are shiny to highly glossy, while the undersides have soft hairs. Leaf margins are toothed. There may be glandular buds at the tips of the leaf stalks.

Flowers consist of catkins which are 1 ½”-4" long with hairy, yellow or brown scales. Flowers appear at the ends of leafy twigs.

  Adaptation:
Pacific Willow is typically found at low to mid elevations next to water bodies. A high water table will encourage excellent growth for Pacific Willow. As for its range, Pacific Willow is found on both sides of the Cascades from Alaska south to California.

  Pests:
None reported.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
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