Laurel Leaf Willow vs Diamond-Leaf Willow - TreeTime.ca

Laurel Leaf Willow vs Diamond-Leaf Willow

Salix pentandra

Salix planifolia

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

CUSTOM GROW

Laurel Leaf Willow
Diamond-Leaf Willow

Laurel Leaf Willow is a round-shaped tree with attractive dark green leaves.

This cold hardy tree can withstand bitter winters and still put on lots of growth every summer. Laurel Leaf Willow prefers moist to wet ground and full sun, though it can tolerate partial shade too. This species is also known as one of the more salt-tolerant species for those with saline soils.

All willow 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.

Diamond-Leaf Willow is a native deciduous shrub known for its glossy diamond-shaped leaves, which give the shrub its name. Its catkins emerge in spring, providing an important early source of pollen for pollinators. The shrub’s dense growth also offers valuable cover and browse for wildlife, including moose and deer.

This shrub is well-suited to cool, moist habitats such as wetlands, streambanks, and forest openings. It spreads by rhizomes, helping to stabilize soils and form dense thickets. Diamond-Leaf Willow is valuable for reclamation, wetland enhancement, shelterbelt plantings, and a wide range of conservation and habitat restoration projects.

Laurel Leaf Willow Quick Facts

Diamond-Leaf Willow Quick Facts

Zone: 2b
Zone: 1a
Height: 15 m (49 ft)
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright to spreading, ticket-forming
Spreading: seeds - medium, layering - low
Suckering: medium


Foliage: long, glossy
Bark: smooth, dark brown
Seeds: within the capsules
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: yes

In row spacing: 2.4 - 3 m (8 - 10 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NL, YT, NT, NU
Other Names: bay willow, bay-leaf willow, laurel willow
Other Names: diamondleaf willow, flat-leaved willow, mountain willow, plane-leaf willow, plane-leaved willow, tea-leaf willow, tea-leaved willow