Salix amygdaloides (Peach-leaved willow)

Botanical name

Salix amygdaloides

Other names

Peach-leaved willow, Peach leaf willow, Peachleaf willow, Peach willow, Salix wrightii, Salix nigra var. amygdaloides, Wright willow, Salix amygdaloides var. wrightii, Salix nigra var. wrightii

Genus

Salix Salix

Species

S. amygdaloides - S. amygdaloides is a vigorous, rounded to oval, deciduous tree with ovate to narrowly lance-shaped, finely toothed, yellow- to grey-green leaves, paler beneath, and long, yellow catkins in spring followed by green seed capsules ripening dark brown.

Native to

Canada, Central United States, Western United States

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Oval-headed, Rounded

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Colour

Flower

Yellow in Spring

Foliage

Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Sawflies , Lacebugs , Caterpillars , Aphids , Scale insects

Specific diseases

Blight , Anthracnose diseases , Canker , Powdery mildew , Rust

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 1 in late winter or early spring. Can be pollarded every 3-4 years.

Propagation

Requires both a male and female plant for seed production. Sow seed in a cold frame in late spring or early summer as soon as ripe. Seed has a short viability.

Propagation methods

Hardwood cuttings, Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings, Softwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Salix amygdaloides (Peach-leaved willow) will reach a height of 20m and a spread of 10m after 20-50 Years.

Suggested uses

Bog garden, Coastal, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Waterside, Wildlife

Cultivation

Grow in moist, boggy, or moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil in full sun. Avoid chalk. Tolerates partial shade. Will not tolerate dry soil. Site careful as develops an aggressive root system. Grows quickly and tends to be relatively short-lived. Resents root disturbance.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Boggy damp conditions, Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Salix amygdaloides (Peach-leaved willow)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Agrilus fleischeri

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Pest of poplar; native to East Asia. Likely to be damaging if introduced to the UK. Protecting against the risk of entry via wood packaging material and other means remains a priority. A Europe-wide assessment would be helpful; to consider strengthened regulation.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Salix amygdaloides (Peach-leaved willow)

Common pest name

Japanese swift moth

Scientific pest name

Endoclita excrescens

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous moth pest whose larvae feed off a range of herbaceous and woody hosts. Native to East Asia where substantial impacts have been observed; and current import requirements do not fully mitigate the risk of introduction. A PRA will help to assess the level of risk more fully.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Salix amygdaloides (Peach-leaved willow)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Hylesia nigricans

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

South American moth which could be damaging to broadleaf species if introduced to the UK; as well as having human health impacts. The main pathway is likely to be goods (including non-plant material) imported from South America and awareness raising with the main industry sectors is recommended.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/