46 Common Trees 



WIDELY INTRODUCED WILLOWS 



THREE WILLOWS have been widely introduced into New 

 York. They are the Weeping Willow, the White Wil- 

 low, and the Crack Willow. 



The Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica, Linnaeus) , a 

 native of Asia, was introduced into the United States in 

 1702 by a famous botanist named Tournefort. Sometimes 

 this tree is called Napoleon Willow because of its association 

 with the great French general during his exile. It has been 

 planted widely in New York. This tree can always be dis- 

 tinguished by its weeping habit. Its long drooping branches 

 are distinctive, and when young they are tough and pliable, 

 but later become brittle. Its leaves are simple, alternate, 4 

 to 7 inches long; in shape they resemble the Black Willow 

 and in color those of the White Willow. 



The White Willow (Salix alba, Linnaeus) , a native of 

 Europe, was brought to America by the early settlers. It is 

 now found from the Atlantic to the Pacific and is given 

 planting preference where erosion and landslides are to be 

 stopped. It is found throughout New York as an orna- 

 mental tree. In some places it has escaped cultivation. This 

 tree sometimes reaches a height of 70 feet and a diameter of 

 4 feet. The leaves are simple, alternate, 2 to 4 inches long, 

 one-third to two-fifths of an inch wide, finely toothed along 

 edge. When young the leaves are pale green and hairy on 

 both sides, but when mature they are distinctly white only 

 on the lower surface, whence the name White Willow. 



The Crack Willow (Salix fragilis, Linnaeus) , a native 

 of Europe and northern Asia, has been planted widely in 

 America, especially in the prairie states. It is well estab- 

 lished in eastern New York, particularly about the earlier 

 settlements. It occurs locally westward. It is readily dis- 

 tinguished from the White Willow by its yellowish-green 

 twigs and larger leaves, which are 3 to 6 inches long, Yi to 

 1 inch wide, coarsely toothed along margin. The branches 

 are so brittle that they crack off easily in a slight breeze, 

 whence the appropriate name Crack Willow. After a storm 

 the ground beneath this tree is often completely covered with 

 twigs and branches. 



