184 TREES OF MINNESOTA. 



some planters prefer to use poles instead of common cuttings, 

 laying- them in furrows in the prepared soil, where they are all 

 covered except at intervals of about two feet, at which places 

 they sprout and grow. 



Properties of wood. Soft, light, tough, strong and very 

 flexible. 



Uses. The White Willow is one of the most valuable 

 trees to use for windbreaks on our prairies. Wonderfully 

 hardy even in dry locations. It sprouts vigorously from the 

 stump and furnishes good straight poles of uniform size, 

 which if cut in summer and the bark peeled off will last for a 

 number of years exposed to ihe weather. When thoroughly 

 dried they make fence posts that will last about six years, but 

 generally are not durable. The fuel if dried under cover has 

 greater value for summer use than is generally supposed. In 

 Europe the wood is used for rafters of buildings, for the 

 lining of carts used in hauling stone, in turnery, for baseball 

 and cricket bats and for any purpose where a very light, strong, 

 tough wood is needed; the leaves are used as forage for cattle 

 and the bark for tanning leather, for which purpose it is con- 

 sidered nearly as good as oak bark. A row of White Willow 

 set about four feet apart with barbed wire put on them makes 

 a very permanent and serviceable fence. Live willow posts 

 or stakes that are used .to support barbed wire soon root and 

 become permanent trees in moist soil. The White Willow 

 will not make a good low hedge as it does not stand very 

 close pruning. 



Varieties. The White Willow has gives rise to a large 

 number of varieties, among the best of which are the fol- 

 lowing: 



Salix alba vittellina. Common Golden "Willow. 



A pretty tree at all seasons but particularly so in winter 

 and early spring on account of its bright yellow bark; form 

 like that of the species. This variety has been largely planted 

 but is now generally supplanted by the next, which is a better 

 ornamental tree. This has become naturalized in this coun- 

 try though it is probable that only the pistillate form is found 

 in this section. 



