Russian Olive vs Acute Willow - TreeTime.ca

Russian Olive vs Acute Willow

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Salix acutifolia

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(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Russian Olive
Acute Willow

Russian Olive is a medium-sized deciduous tree that has attractive silvery coloured foliage with small yellow flowers that emit a fragrant sweet smell.

It is drought and salt tolerant, and works well as a shelterbelt species. Russian Olive can also be used to combat erosion.

Note: although Russian Olive is planted as an attractive boulevard tree in many northern areas, in warmer areas it can invade watersheds and is considered invasive. Please do some research and plant the right tree in the right place.

Acute Willow is a very fast growing small tree that can reach growth rates of up to 6 feet per year. It's a great choice for developing a quick, hardy shelterbelt, windbreak, or privacy screen.

Acute Willow will grow multi-stemmed but can be pruned to a single stem for a smaller footprint. It prefers moist areas and requires almost no maintenance.

Willows are important to native pollinators each spring as they have higher amounts of pollen and nectar early each growing season when other food sources are scarce.

Russian Olive Quick Facts

Acute Willow Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $1.49 - SAVE UP TO 57%
Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: low


Foliage: silver scales
Foliage: long slender leaves
Bark: younger branches are bright brown-red
Flowers: yellow
Fruit: silver-yellow, olive-like
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes

In row spacing: 1.8 - 2.4 m (6 - 8 ft)

In row spacing: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Other Names: silver berry oleaster, wild olive
Other Names: acute leaf willow, acute leafed willow, long-leaved violet willow, sharp-leaf willow