32. Golden Weeping Willow

Common Name - Golden Weeping Willow

Latin Name - Salix alba 'Chrysocoma'                                                                          

Height -  12 Metres             Spread –  9 Metres

The Golden Willow as it is commonly known, is actually a variety of White Willow, a common tree native to Europe, Central Asia, and Northern Africa. Golden Willow is like White Willow in many ways having the same characteristics, but its new stems grow in a bright golden colour. This is a fast-growing, weeping deciduous tree that can grow to a mature height of twelve metres and has an annual growth rate of between 50 to 150 cm. In comparison to other trees this is but a short lived tree with a useful lifespan of between 25 to 60 years.

Historically, the bark of White Willow bark has been used as a natural remedy for the treatment of fever and also for lowering pain. The Willow bark can be made into a tea and is a traditional tonic for pain relief because of the active ingredient known as Salicin in its bark.

These days the species of tree is used within Conservation to help control soil erosion and is an important food source for wildlife and in particular birds who use the buds and flowering catkins of the tree.