This golden willow tree loves water and is usually grown in damp areas for the bright golden yellow stems that are visible in the winter time.

The Basford golden willow is a spectacular tree at its full height of about fifty feet although it is usually coppiced (cut back every year in later winter) to maintain a height of around eight to ten feet. The new growth is bright red and the flowers are bright yellow. In the winter, after the leaves have fallen the bright yellow stems are a feature against snowfalls and blue skies and the golden willow is often paired with red twig dogwoods and blue spruces for an interesting wintergarden effect. This tree likes consistently moist (even wet) soils and full sun.

Members of the genus Salix are commonly known as willows. These woody plants range in size from the imposing weeping willow tree to small shrubs. While not fussy about soil quality, they generally require moderate to wet soil moisture. In the wild, willows are commonly found near streams, rivers and ponds. In cultivation, willows are often used to control erosion in such areas. They are easily propagated from cuttings; willows root and grow quickly.

Of the estimated 350 species in the genus Salix, most are native to the cooler, temperate and sub-polar regions of Asia, Europe and North America. Cross species hybridization occurs both naturally and through human intervention, which can make taxonomic distinctions challenging. The Chicago Botanic Garden's collection contains almost 150 varieties among its more than 8,000 willows.