Salix Caprea - Goat Willow

Salix caprea, commonly known as Goat Willow, Sallow, or Pussy Willow, is a widespread British native tree. Its broad leaves and early flowering catkins make it stand out among willows. One of the earliest flowering trees of the year, Goat Willow provides a vital food source for foraging bees in late winter and early spring.

Thriving in wet, boggy soils as well as drier, disturbed sites, Goat Willow is highly adaptable and tolerant of exposed conditions. Dioecious in nature, male and female flowers grow on separate trees, providing both silvery catkins and fluffy seeds. The tree is valuable for wildlife, hedging, riverbank stabilization, and woodland planting.

This is the size and type we sell:

Salix caprea Goat Willow 40–60cm Cell Grown

Salix caprea Goat Willow 40–60cm 1+0

Salix caprea Goat Willow 40–60cm 1+1

Professionally grown and suitable for hedging, woodland, riverside planting, and coppicing.

Features & Benefits

Early-flowering native willow providing pollen for bees

Broad, oval leaves with red leaf stems

Dioecious: male and female catkins; seeds released in May

Performs in wet, boggy soils and dry, disturbed sites

Supports wildlife: Goat Moth, Purple Emperor butterfly, and other moths

Suitable for hedges, riverbanks, screening, and woodland planting

Applications

Mixed-species native hedges

Woodland and riverside planting

Conservation and biodiversity projects

Coppicing for crafts and habitat management

Screening and ecological planting schemes

Height & Spread (Approximate)

After 10 years: 8m height x 4m spread

After 20 years: 10m height x 5m spread

Growth assumes suitable site conditions.

Botanical Name | Salix caprea

Common Name | Goat Willow / Sallow / Pussy Willow

Plant Type | Deciduous tree

Growth Rate | Fast

Mature Height | Up to 10–12m

Mature Spread | Up to 5–6m

Soil Type | Wet and boggy soils; tolerates disturbed and dry sites

Aspect | Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness | Fully hardy in the UK

Plant Size & Type | 40–60cm Cell Grown; 40–60cm 1+0; 40–60cm 1+1

Maintenance | Coppice in late winter; tidy damaged branches as required

Wildlife Value | Early pollen for bees; supports Goat Moth, Purple Emperor butterfly, and other moths