The Willows 



D. Leaf linings silvery; blades broad. 



(S. discolor) pussy willow 

 DD. Leaf linings pale; blades narrow. 



(S. cordaia, var. M acken{ieana) heart willow 

 AAA. Shape of leaves oblong or ovate. 

 B. Leaf linings pubescent, white. 



C. Apex blunt. {S. Hookeriana) willow 



CC. Apex short pointed. (5. Behbiana) willow 



BB. Leaf linings smooth, pale; apex blunt. 



(5. halsamijera) willow 



The genus Salix is distributed from the equator to the Arctic 

 circle. It embraces 170 species, beside numbers of natural 

 hybrids between closely related species. Most of them prefer 

 moist soil; a few prefer dry. They ascend from sea level to the 

 tops of mountain chains. They vary from great trees to prostrate 

 shrubs. No climate or soil but can show its native willows. 

 Among woody plants they are comparable to grass among the 

 herbs. 



The wood of willow is uniformly light and weak. The 

 trees are likely to get less than their due of credit, when compared 

 with the average large genus of hardwoods or conifers. But 

 uses have been found for them from time immemorial. Their 

 soft, light wood makes superior charcoal for gunpowder and 

 other uses, and is largely used for summer fuel where a quick, 

 hot fire is desirable. The tough, flexible twigs of several species 

 form the basis of the wickerware industry. Tannin is obtained 

 from the bitter bark. In Holland and other countries willows are 

 planted to hold the banks of streams and ditches. Willow 

 branches formed the original jetties that opened and kept open to 

 navigation the channel of the Mississippi. Willows are among 

 our best trees for quick-growing shelter belts, in the newer parts 

 of the country. They furnish ornamental and shade trees of 

 value pretty when young, dignified in age. 



The cultivation of willows is very easy, A twig stuck into 

 moist soil grows into a tree. Willow posts set out green soon 

 grow into roadside trees, thus serving a double purpose. In 

 damp situations their roots drain and greatly improve the land. 

 Many species have twigs that snap off at the base. These twigs 

 strike root if they fall on damp ground; many waterside willows 

 cast their twigs in this way, and the stream carries them down, 

 lodging them on shoals and bars, which soon become clothed with 



156 



