158 Forests and Trees 



The wood is soft and not valuable for commercial purposes. 

 The absence of other timber, however, has made these trees 

 very valuable locally throughout the prairie region, both for 

 fuel and building material. 



I. THE WILLOWS 

 Genus Salix 



Willows are either trees or shrubs and mostly of northern 

 regions. They are readily distinguished by their narrow, 

 almost sessile leaves and slender supple branches. The sterile 

 and fertile catkins grow on different trees and may occur either 

 before or along with the leaves. Usually the catkin begins to 

 grow very early in the spring and bursts through its covering 

 long before any other sign of growth is visible. As the scales 

 covering the catkins are often covered on the outside with a 

 white down, the growth has the appearance of being covered 

 with fur. This is the well-known "pussy willow" so universally 

 gathered by children in the early spring. These pussies are 

 the first sign of spring and no doubt their popularity is due to 

 that fact. The pussy willow, however, is not the willow in 

 full bloom. It is only the enlarging bud, and it may be some 

 time before the woolly scales covering the catkins open and 

 allow the stamens or ovaries to come out. 



The willows are proverbially fond of wet places and are found 

 bordering all streams and ponds throughout the northern hemi- 

 sphere. A few species prefer dry places and almost all will 

 grow on well-drained soil, but the borders of streams and ditches 

 seem to be their natural choice. If plenty of moisture is present 

 they will grow on pure sand, but they by no means refuse to 

 grow on rich soil as well. In fact where the water is, there they 

 will grow, almost regardless of the kind of soil. 



Wi.th us the willows are mostly shrubs, though a few grow 

 to be large trees. Their wood is light, tough and durable, but 



