Are you interested in balsam willow for your landscape, or Salix pyrifolia (Balsam Willow) - Minnesota Wildflowers
: Like many willows, it provides essential food and habitat for wildlife and is a vital resource for early spring pollinators. Practical Uses
: It usually grows as a multi-stemmed shrub reaching 6 to 12 feet (1.8 to 3.6 meters) in height, though it can occasionally form a small tree up to 13–20 feet. Habitat and Ecology
The ( Salix pyrifolia ) is a hardy deciduous shrub or small tree primarily distinguished by the unique, spicy balsam-like fragrance its leaves and buds emit when crushed . Native to northern North America, it is a staple of wetlands, bogs, and conifer swamps. Key Identification Features