SALIX 



SALIX 



1599 



2330. White 'Willow on a stream, holding the bank 

 from washing. See No. 6. 



The genus is represented by species in both conti- 

 nents. It is, however, much more abundant in north 

 temperate regions than in south. In the frigid regions 

 are several species. Salix arctica and several allied 

 epecies 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. The wood is light in weight and color, finely 

 and evenly porous. The wood has been extensively 

 used in the manufacture of gunpowder. It has also 

 been used for many other purposes. Certain species 

 have for many years been extensively cultivated in Eu- 

 rope for materials with which to manufacture baskets. 

 S. viminalis appears to be the favorite species for this 

 purpose. Basket Willow is now extensively cultivated 

 in central New York, and considerable manufacturing 

 of this material is done there. 



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 " 

 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 re- 

 marks under Populus will apply to Willows. 



Willows are rarely propagated from seed. The 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. Many hybrids have 

 been described based on specimens found in nature that 

 presented characters intermediate between recognized 

 species. Artificial hybrids have also been made between 

 many species. The dioecious habit of the species seems 

 to facilitate cross-pollination, and it seems probable 

 that the intermediate forms so frequently met with and 

 designated in the monographs as varieties are natural 

 hybrids. Upwards of one hundred hybrid Willows 

 have been described as growing in Europe. Although 

 as many or even more species occur in America, fewer 

 hybrids have been detected here. The hybrids de- 

 scribed as growing in America are for the most part be- 

 tween native species and those introduced from Europe. 



101 



2231. Same tree aa in 2230. in summer dress. 



A. Scales of ament green, deciduous. 



Mostly trees 

 B. Stamens more than 3. 



c. Buds small 1. nigra 



2. amygdaloides 

 CC. Buds larrje : /r.i. very shiny 



abore 3. lucida 



4. pentandra 



2232. Old roadside trees of Salix alba. 



