TREES, SHRUBS, AND FORESTS 



THE WILLOWS (SALICACEAE) 



387 



Habitat and habit. Most of the willows are hydrophytic in 

 their habitat, growing along the borders of lakes and streams, 

 in swamps, or in moist soils (Fig. 239). A few species are 

 adapted to mesophytic conditions and are capable of cultivation 

 in comparatively dry soils. In habit the majority are shrubs, 



FIG. 239. Natural habitat and habit of willows along a creek 

 Photograph furnished by the United States Forest Service 



while a few forms grow to be large-sized, spreading trees from 

 50 to 100 feet in height, attaining to a diameter of two or 

 three feet. 



The bark of the young twigs (Fig. 240) is smooth or hairy, 

 while that on the main trunk and the older branches is flaky. 

 The leaves are long and narrow, with an entire or slightly 

 notched margin and with a short petiole bearing stipules, or 

 appendages, at its base, where it joins the main stem. 



