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Utah Native Salix exigua (Coyote Willow)- A useful Keystone Species

Coyote Willow (salix exigua), a small tree, is on my list for planting early this spring.  I intend to use it as a back drop in beds and to help blur the edges.  I have edges in my garden — it seems like I go from flat and clear to stick straight 50 ft pines and their isn’t any natural forest edge.  The abruptness is jarring and I think I need to soften it all up by blending.

This willow is also known as narrowleaf willow, and sandbar willow.

A river with red grass and trees in the background.
Rio Grande, willows (salix exigua) and cottonwood trees in front of the Sandia Mountains in central New Mexico. It has yellow flowers that are either male or female and occur on separate plants. This plant, along with other willows, is known as “dioecious”, meaning there are separate female and male trees.  By hansstuart1nm
A plant with green leaves near a palm tree.
Coyote willow, also known as Salix exigua, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to North America. It is commonly found along streams, ponds, and wetlands, and is known for its slender, grayish-green leaves. Coyote willow provides important habitat for wildlife and is often used in erosion control and landscaping projects. image from wsu.edu

Salix exigua is native to much of the western united states and I am quite familiar with it as a plant that colonizes and anchors stream banks.  In many areas where it grows naturally, it is considered a keystone species that provides food, shelter and habitat to many animals. Humans use it medicinally (it is a source of natural aspirin) and also for basketry, shelter, and making boats.

But in the garden, I’m going to use it to add texture and a lightweight (but hopefully quickly effective) backdrop . Salix exigua is an upright tree with slender greyish-green branches clothed with long, narrow, finely toothed, silky silver leaves and small pale yellow catkins.

A close up of a plant with a lot of leaves.
Willow trees in Utah are a common sight throughout the state, particularly in wetland areas and along rivers and streams. These native trees are known for their slender branches and long, narrow leaves, and they provide important habitat for a variety of wildlife, including birds, insects, and small mammals. Willows play a crucial role in stabilizing soil along waterways and preventing erosion. Additionally, their flexible branches are often used in crafts and basket weaving by local artisans. image by Hank Watts

Willows are among my favorite trees, and this small variety will add not only a nice texture but also the pretty bluish-tinged leaves. Have you grown this tree?  I am curious, are the suckers a pain to manage?

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  1. Matti says:

    Great soft foliage. I bet it is easy to propagate too. The leaves almost have a Japanese Maple look to them (Acer palmatum).
    Matti

  2. Andrew says:

    I haven’t grown it, but it’s going on my list now! Thanks for the heads up! I have shrubby Salix purpurea ‘Nana,’ but just planted it this fall. Sadly, tree-sized willows are tough to site on my 1/4 acre lot because much of it sits above a septic system. Could be good for clients, though.

  3. Erika says:

    this plant grows like crazy on the sandbars and banks of the river across the street. It seems to keep itself fairly well contained within about 20 feet of the water line… don’t know about suckering; they do tend to fall over a bit, and therefore spread out from the ground up – but maybe that’s due to the weight of the snow.

  4. Jared Turner says:

    Beautiful tree, fairly difficult to maintain, but not overly hard.

  5. Garfield says:

    I wish we had this kind of willow in the landscaping here. I think they look so cool, but the climate is all wrong.

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