Side by side
Goat willow or eared willow? How to tell them apart
Salix caprea · Salix aurita
How to tell them apart – goat willow: a small tree with larger, broadly oval leaves and twigs without ridges under the bark; eared willow: low, densely branched willow with small, strongly wrinkled leaves with a bent-over tip and large ‘ears’ at the leaf base.
How do you recognise them?
- Goat willow
- Broadly oval willow leaf with a grey-felted underside; fat, silvery ‘pussy willow’ catkins in March.
- Compared with eared willow: a small tree with larger, broadly oval leaves and twigs without ridges under the bark.
- Eared willow
- Low, densely branched willow with small, strongly wrinkled leaves with a bent-over tip and large ‘ears’ at the leaf base.
| Goat willow | Eared willow | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, broadly oval, 5–10 cm, with a short tip that is often bent to one side; edge wavy and irregularly toothed. Underside grey-felted, upper side dull and slightly wrinkled. | Alternate, 2–5 cm, obovate with a short, twisted tip and a wavy edge; upper side dull and strongly wrinkled, underside grey-hairy. At the base, large, kidney-shaped stipules that stay on for a long time. |
| Flowering | Fat, silvery catkins in March; on male trees they turn golden yellow (March–April). | Small catkins in April, before the leaves; male and female on separate shrubs (April–May). |
| Fruit | Fluffy seeds in May. | Fluffy seeds in May–June. |
| Bark | Grey, smooth for a long time, later cracking into diamonds. Buds large and red-brown. | Thin, reddish-brown twigs that become hairless and spread widely; under the bark of two- or three-year-old twigs the wood has distinct lengthwise ridges. |
| Shape and height | Broadleaf tree, 3–10 m | Shrub, 1–3 m |
| Site | Sun or partial shade, any garden soil, moist to wet | Sun or partial shade, acid soil, moist to wet |
| Native to Belgium | Yes | Yes |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees, butterflies and birds | – |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Not known to be poisonous | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | April–May | April–May |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Both are native and good for wildlife: choose what suits your soil, your light and the space you have.
Read on
- Plant profile: Goat willow
- Plant profile: Eared willow
- Goat willow: when and how to prune
- Eared willow: when and how to prune
- Identification key
Also looks like
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.