Salix caprea Goat willow, Great willow, Pussy willow, Sallow willow

Salicaceae

Salix caprea Goat willow, Great willow, Pussy willow, Sallow willow

Small tree with somewhat variable but usually broad ovoid crown. Young trees usually have a narrow ovoid crown. The young twigs are green, sometimes slightly red and covered in short, thick hair. Older twigs are hairless. The bark remains smooth for a long time with typical, small diamond-shaped fissures. Only later does the bark develop longitudinal grooves. The leaf has felt-like hair on the underside. On the upper side the veins are slightly sunken giving the leaf a rather wrinkled surface. S. caprea is the earliest blossoming species. The catkins appear around late March. Male catkins consist of golden yellow stamens, the female ones are covered with a thick layer of silver-coloured hair among which the pistils are found. Easy tree which grows on almost every type of nutrient-rich but not extremely acidic soil. Tolerates slight drought and quite a lot of moisture.
Our trees can only be planted when they don't have any leaves. Due to the this we will start delivering again from November 2025.
Availability
Specifications
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Height
6 - 10 m
Width
3-5m
Crown
wide ovoid, half-open crown
Bark and branches
twigs green, bark light grey
Leaf
broad oval to broad obovate, somewhat glossy, grey-green, 5 - 12 cm
Flowers
ovoid catkins, ♂ catkins golden yellow, ♀ catkins silver grey, March/April
Fruits
catkins
Spines/thorns
None
Toxicity
usually not toxic to people, (large) pets and livestock
Soil type
few requirements, tolerates a lot of moisture
Soil moisture
suitable for wet soil, withstand short flood, withstand long flood
Paving
tolerates paving
Winter hardiness zone
4 (-34,4 to -28,9 °C)
Wind resistance
good
Other resistances
resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6), can withstand wind
Fauna tree
valuable for butterflies
Application
tree containers, roof gardens
Shape
clearstem tree, multi-stem treem
Origin
Europe, Asia
Clear stem tree Multi-stem tree acid soil clay soil loamy soil peaty soil sandy soil tolerates paving light-loving resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6) suitable for wet soil withstand long flood withstand short flood can withstand wind broad ovoid 3rd size, smaller than 6 metres half-open crown green greygreen yellow March average growing Conspicuous bloom valuable for butterflies non-toxic (usually)
Frequently asked questions
Salix caprea

Salix caprea can eventually reach a height of 6 - 10 m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

Salix caprea is average growing and can eventually reach a height of 6 - 10 m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

The right time to plant Salix caprea is during the dormancy period. In Western Europe, Salix caprea with root balls can generally be planted from mid-November to late April, although this depends strongly on the climatic conditions and the species of tree.

Salix caprea blooms in march.
General

Yes, we deliver to the UK. Delivery costs depend on the region and the total order value. Below, you’ll find all the details.

Delivery charges for private customers are calculated based on your region and are visible during the checkout process. We also offer discounts based on the total value of your order:

  • Orders over £1,000: Receive a 50% discount on delivery costs.
  • Orders over £2,000: Delivery is completely free.

Yes, for trees with a size of 50-60 cm girth or larger, additional delivery charges apply due to the need for specialised transport. These costs will be calculated separately and shared with you after your order is placed. We will contact you to discuss the transport options and costs.

Once you add items to your basket and proceed to the checkout, the system will calculate the delivery charges for your region. If your order qualifies for any discounts, they will automatically be applied.

For any questions or specific delivery requests, feel free to contact our customer service team. We’re happy to help arrange the best delivery solution for your order.