Salix sitchensis

Common Names

Sitka Willow, Satin Willow, Silky Willow, Pussy Willow, Bebb's Willow, MacKenzie's Willow, Saule De Sitka

Summary

Sitka willow, Salix sitchensis, is a dioecious willow native to northwestern North America, forming a large shrub or small tree typically 3–25 ft tall with erect branches and gray bark that is smooth or slightly furrowed. Leaves are alternate and simple, obovate to oblanceolate, 1.5–3 inches long, dark green above with very silky flattened hairs underneath, and short velvety petioles with half-oval stipules that fall early on slow-growing twigs but persist on rapidly growing ones; cream to yellow catkins up to 2–3 inches long appear in early spring on leafy twigs, with wind-dispersed seeds from tear-shaped capsules.

Moist to wet soils and full sun to partial shade suit Sitka willow, tolerating some shade and commonly growing along streams, wetlands, and lake shores. Propagation occurs by surface-sown seeds as soon as ripe (no dormancy, germination 12–24 hours on moist ground, viability only a few days) or by hardwood cuttings 7–10 inches long and 0.5–1 inch thick (rooting 90–100% without rooting hormones), planted in autumn at spacing of 6+ feet; growth is rapid with slower vegetative spread, making it useful for erosion control and forested riparian buffers that enhance wildlife and biodiversity. Hardy to USDA zones 4–9.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-25 feet

Spread

3-25 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Moist to wet, mucky soils typical of stream banks

Soil Drainage

Damp, heavy soils, moist to wet soils, wet, poorly drained soils

Soil pH

Acid to neutral soils.

Bloom Color

Cream to yellow

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Dark green

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast-growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, and birds