SALIX 



SALIX 



3051 



The role that the willow plays in the north temperate 

 regions is to a certain extent analogous to that of the 

 eucalyptus in subtropical regions; it flourishes in wet 

 ground and absorbs and transpires immense quantities 

 of water. It has been used to plant around cesspools for 

 sanitary effect. But while most of the species occur 

 spontaneously in wet ground or along stream-banks, 

 the willows may be cultivated in various situations. 

 The white willow (S. alba) has been used very effectively 

 to fix stream-banks against erosion. (Figs. 3523, 3524.) 

 Its root-system is very extensive and when well estab- 

 lished withstands the effect of heavy rapid streams as 

 well as wave-action. S. arctica and several allied spe- 

 cies are among the few woody plants extending into 

 extreme arctic regions. The arctic species are among 

 the most diminutive of woody plants. As one goes south 

 the species increase in size. Some of the species of North 

 Temperate, Tropical and South Temperate zones are 

 large trees. The arborescent species all form wood very 

 rapidly. Specimens of white willow which may not be 

 of great age look venerable from their great thickness 

 of trunk and size of top. The wood is light in weight 

 and color, finely and evenly porous. The wood has 

 been extensively used in manufacture of gunpowder. It 

 has also been used for many other purposes. Certain 

 species have been extensively cultivated for many years 

 in Europe for materials with which to manufacture 

 baskets. S. viminalis appears to be the favorite species 

 for this purpose. Basket willow is now extensively 

 planted in central New York, and considerable manu- 

 facturing of this material is under way. It is probable 

 that the Chinese and Japanese willows recently 

 described will yield useful forms for American plant- 

 ing; in Plant Wilsonianae, III, pt. 1, describing 

 Chinese plants, Schneider admits regularly 183 species. 



As ornamental trees the willows present little variety. 

 The bright yellow catkins of some species are attractive 

 in spring. They are considerably used as "nurse trees" 



nigra), is an adaptation to facilitate the natural dis- 

 tribution of the species. Certain it is that twigs broken 

 from the tree by the wind are carried down streams and, 

 becoming anchored in the muddy banks, grow readily. 

 It is one of the most aggressive trees in occupying such 

 places. Willows may also be propagated by seed. The 



' 



3524. Same tree as in Fig. 3523, in summer dress. 



for slower-growing trees that require partial shade while 

 young. The red and yellow branches of certain willows 

 are very bright and cheering in winter. The weeping 

 forms are very popular, but they are often planted with 

 little sense of fitness. The cultural remarks under 

 Populus will apply to willows. 



The species of willows are readily propagated by cut- 

 tings. It has been suggested that the brittleness at base 

 of twigs of some species, notably the black willow (S. 



3525. Old roadside trees of Saliz alba. 



seeds are very small and contain a green and short- 

 lived embryo. A very short exposure of the seeds to the 

 air will so dry them out that they will not germinate. 

 The safest way to secure seedlings is to plant the seeds 

 as soon as the capsule opens. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES. 



A. Species of the usual upright kinds. 

 B. Scales of ament green, deciduous: 



mostly trees. 

 c. Stamens more than 3. 



D. Foliage persistent ............ 



DD. Foliage not persistent. 

 E. Buds small. 



F. Lvs. green beneath ........ 



FF. Lvs. glaucous beneath ..... 



EE. Buds large: hs. very shiny 

 above ................... 



CC. Stamens 2 or 8. 

 D. Large trees 



1. Bonplandiana 



DD. Shrubs 



2. 

 3. 



4. 

 5. 



6. 



7. 



8. 



9. 

 10. 

 11. 

 12. 

 13. 

 14. 

 15. 

 16. 



nigra 

 amygdaloides 



lucida 

 pentandra 



fragilis 



alba 



vitellina 



babylonica 



Salamonii 



blanda 



elegantissima 



Safsaf 



longifolia 



argophylla 



balsamifera 



