THE WILLOW. '6i.b 



The white willow is hest adapted for pollarding (topping), 

 less suited for coppice. It also appears in high forest amongst 

 other species. As pollards, it is worked under a rotation of 

 three to six years ; the material is used for fascines, cask 

 hoops and basket work. 



It is propagated by cuttings, which may be five and six 

 feet long, so as to produce a tree in the shortest possible 

 time. 



As regards animals, see common sallow. 



r. ('rark Willoir. 



Europe, North and West Asia. Planted along river banks 

 and low land generally ; likes moist or wet soil, especiall^^ 

 loamy sands ; light demanding, thin foliage ; grows rapidly ; 

 hardy, but suffers from snow and rime ; good power of 

 reproduction by shoots. 



It is suited for pollarding and coppice, and is treated like 

 the white willow ; the shoots are not suited for basket work, 

 as they are liable to crack. 



(I. Common Osier. 



Eussia, North Asia ; cultivated throughout Europe. It is 

 extensively grown in osier beds, which are generally established 

 along river banks and other low lying parts of the country, on 

 loose, moist, sandy soil ; it is, however, exacting as regards 

 general fertility of the soil. It is light demanding, with a 

 thin crown ; grows rapidly ; fairly hardy, but suffers sometimes 

 from frost, insects and fungi. 



The osier is treated as coppice. The rotation depends on 

 the desired material, and ranges from one to six and even 

 eight years. Material for fine basket work is obtained by 

 cutting annually. Reproduction is powerful, but the stools do 

 not last for more than perhaps 15 years, and fre(|uentl3' not so 

 long. 



The osier is propagated by cuttings as described for the 

 common sallow. In England the cuttings consist frequently 



