Salix scouleriana

Scouler's Willow is native to a wide range of climates across the west coast from Alaska to California and is one of the few willow species that grows on dry, free draining mountain slopes in addition to wetland sites. Willows are critically important for many native species, with the dense branch structure supporting crucial shelter and nesting sites for many bird species and the very early spring flowers providing nectar for native pollinators at a time when little else is available. The twigs are also an important browsing source in late winter when other food has become scarce. Scouler's Willow allows for these functions to be provided on drier sites where other willow species would not survive. In the landscape, Scouler's Willow has glossy deep green leaves and a wide form, making for an excellent summer windbreak. Plants can quickly achieve 20-30 foot heights as a multi-stemmed tree with a 10-15 foot width. The wood is much stronger than most willow species and because it tends to produce long unbranched first year stems it is an excellent source of garden stakes or tool handles. We prefer Scouler Willow stakes to bamboo stakes in our nursery because they are much stronger. This also makes Scouler Willow plants very conducive to windbreaks. Like many willow species, Scouler's Willow has significant variation between populations. At the edges of its range Scouler Willow will hybridize with other willow species which can provide plants with intermediate characteristics. Fully upland plants tend to be shorter with browner stems and smaller leaves while lowland plants have some characteristics of Sitka Willow such as a taller, more upright habit and lighter green to yellow stems with longer, slightly serrated edges. The lowland populations are generally easier to propagate and grow in garden settings while plants from the upland populations tend to be a little bit tricky to transplant or grow from cuttings.

Varying in size from medium shrub to medium tree, this Western native develops large gray catkins (pussies+) very early in spring; smooth gray bark. S/M-W