4 BULLETIN 316, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



species is seldom over 40 feet in height and 6 inches in diameter. 

 The narrow linear notched leaves make it easily distinguishable. 

 They are one-eighth to one-third of an inch wide and 2 to 6 inches 

 long. When young they are silky white, but generally become 

 smooth at maturity. The buds and flowers resemble those of the 

 peachleaf willow. The bark is grayish brown, and even in the large 

 trees is scarcely furrowed. Old bark is somewhat rough. 



In the mountains and on the dry plains several forms have devel- 

 oped which have been given separate names by botanists. From 

 Quebec and Mackenzie to Virginia, Kentucky, Texas, and California 

 several distinct forms have been recognized and given specific names. 

 These variations occur principally in the western half of the United 

 States. 



DIAMOND WDLLOW. 



(Salix cordata Muhl.) 



The diamond willow group has a wide distribution, and over a 

 considerable portion of its range it occurs with great frequency. 

 Like the sandbar willow, it has numerous forms, many of which 

 have been given a variety of names or have been classed as separate 

 species. Economically they can be treated as one group. The Mis- 

 souri River type occasionally attains a height of 50 feet and a diam- 

 eter of 18 inches, but as a rule none of the forms reaches a large 

 size. Diamond willow is valuable chiefly for protecting stream 

 banks and for post material. In portions of the dry prairie region 

 diamond willow posts have been far more durable than any other 

 native species. It is distinguished by the diamond-shaped leaf 

 scars on the branches. The bark is also smooth and firm, some- 

 what similar to the sandbar willow but with more pronounced 

 ridges. The leaves resemble the peachleaf willow at the base, but 

 are wider in outline and more abruptly pointed. The hairy, reddish- 

 brown winter buds, one-half inch long, also distinguish this species. 



The range of the diamond willow is from New Brunswick to British 

 Columbia, Virginia, Missouri, Colorado, and California. 



WHITE WDLLOW. 



(Salix alba L.) 



Of the willows imported from Europe the white willow is probably 

 the most widely distributed in the United States. The earliest set- 

 tlers brought cuttings to this country, and the species has now spread 

 from coast to coast. It has been widely planted on the prairies and 

 can now be found growing wild in most of the farming regions of 

 the United States. As an individual tree it may attain a diameter 

 of 5 to 8 feet, and when grown in stands, a height of 70 to 80 feet. 



