Laurel Willow

Laurel Willow: A Fast-Growing Tree for Wet Spots (But Consider Native Alternatives First)

If you’re dealing with a persistently soggy spot in your yard and dreaming of a fast-growing tree that won’t throw a tantrum about wet feet, you might have stumbled across the laurel willow (Salix pentandra). This perennial tree has some appealing qualities, but before you rush to plant one, let’s dig into what makes this willow tick—and whether it’s the right choice for your landscape.

What Exactly is Laurel Willow?

Laurel willow is a deciduous tree that can grow quite impressively, reaching up to 60 feet tall at maturity with a rapid growth rate that can hit 30 feet in just 20 years. True to its willow family roots, it sports an erect, single-stem growth form and develops gorgeous dark green foliage that turns a conspicuous golden-yellow in fall.

What sets it apart from other willows is its glossy, laurel-like leaves (hence the name) and its yellow, conspicuous flowers that bloom in summer. The tree is long-lived and has excellent resprouting ability, meaning it can bounce back from damage pretty readily.

The Geography Lesson: Where You’ll Find It

Here’s where things get interesting from a native plant perspective. Laurel willow isn’t actually native to North America—it’s originally from northern Europe and Asia. However, it has established itself across a huge swath of the continent, from Alaska and most Canadian provinces down through much of the northern and central United States, including states like Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, and even as far south as North Carolina and Virginia.

The Beauty Factor

Let’s be honest—laurel willow does have some aesthetic charm. The dark green foliage provides nice summer color, and those yellow catkins add early season interest when many other plants are still snoozing. The fall color can be quite striking, and its moderate foliage porosity means it provides decent summer shade while allowing more light through in winter.

Growing Conditions: What Laurel Willow Wants

This tree is pretty specific about its preferences, which actually makes it easier to decide if it’s right for your space:

• Moisture: High water needs—think consistently moist to wet soils
• Soil: Adapts well to fine and medium-textured soils, but not coarse, sandy ones
• pH: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral soils (6.5-7.5)
• Sun: Intermediate shade tolerance, but performs best in full sun
• Climate: Hardy in USDA zones 2-6, needs at least 120 frost-free days
• Temperature: Can handle frigid winters down to -38°F

The Planting Reality Check

If you’re set on growing laurel willow, here’s what you need to know:

• Space requirements: Plant 150-300 trees per acre for proper spacing—this isn’t a small yard tree
• Propagation: Can be grown from seed, cuttings, bare root, or containers
• Growth rate: Rapid vegetative spread and rapid seed spread rate
• Commercial availability: Limited to contracting only

Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits

While specific wildlife benefit data isn’t available for this species, willows in general are valuable for pollinators, providing early nectar and pollen sources when few other plants are blooming. The rapid seed production and high seed abundance suggest it could provide food for seed-eating birds.

The Native Plant Perspective

Here’s where we need to have a frank conversation. While laurel willow isn’t listed as invasive, it is a non-native species that has naturalized widely across North America. As native plant enthusiasts, we’d encourage you to first consider native willow alternatives that provide similar benefits while supporting local ecosystems.

Some excellent native willow options depending on your region include:

• Black willow (Salix nigra)
• Sandbar willow (Salix interior)
• Peachleaf willow (Salix amygdaloides)
• Pacific willow (Salix lasiandra) for western regions

Should You Plant Laurel Willow?

If you have a large, wet area that needs a fast-growing tree and native options aren’t available or suitable for your specific conditions, laurel willow can serve the purpose. It’s particularly useful for erosion control, windbreaks, or naturalized areas where you need something that thrives in consistently moist conditions.

However, given its non-native status and the availability of native willow alternatives, we’d recommend exploring those options first. Native willows will provide similar benefits while better supporting local wildlife and maintaining ecological integrity.

Whatever you choose, make sure you have the space—at 60 feet tall with rapid growth, this isn’t a tree that plays small. And remember, those wet feet it loves so much aren’t optional—this tree will struggle in dry conditions.