Goat Willow
Salix caprea
Deciduous shrub or small tree characterized by oval to oblong-ovate green leaves with reticulate veining and hairy undersides, featuring alternate leaf arrangement on slender green to reddish stems.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth.
- Water
- High moisture requirements; water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, as it naturally thrives in damp locations and tolerates temporary waterlogging.
- Growth
- Deciduous tree or large shrub with a rounded crown, typically reaching mature heights of 8 to 15 meters with a moderate to fast growth rate.
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade and keep the soil consistently moist. Apply a balanced general-purpose fertilizer in spring to support healthy vegetative growth.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth.
Watering
High moisture requirements; water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, as it naturally thrives in damp locations and tolerates temporary waterlogging.
Soil
Prefers rich, loamy, moist soils with good drainage, adapting well to a wide range of soil pH from acidic to alkaline.
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 4 through 8, demonstrating strong cold tolerance.
Growth habit
Deciduous tree or large shrub with a rounded crown, typically reaching mature heights of 8 to 15 meters with a moderate to fast growth rate.
Bloom season
Spring, producing conspicuous silvery-grey catkins before the leaves emerge.
Propagation
Easily propagated through hardwood or softwood stem cuttings taken during the dormant or active growing seasons.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to rust, powdery mildew, aphids, and willow beetles, which can be managed by maintaining good air circulation and using appropriate horticultural controls.
Similar species
Grey Willow (Salix cinerea), which can be distinguished by more persistent gray hairs on the leaf undersides and stipules that remain longer on the stems.