willows: their growth, use, and importance. 43 
years, whereas if the cutting is not done each plant develops one 
to three large trunks which in from 20 to 30 years reach maturity 
or are broken, the vigor of the original tree being thus practically 
destroyed. The capacity of a willow tree to put out vigorous sprouts 
begins to decline somewhat at the age of from 20 to 30 years, depend- 
ing upon the soil and moisture conditions, but it never entirely passes 
away. If the willows are to be considered permanent, they should 
be cropped in periods of 8 to 10 years, either by gradual or clear cutting. 
At the first evidence of decreasing vigor new trees should be set out 
and the first ones cut as soon as the second planting is large enough 
to be effective. Ordinarily the willows should be considered a 
temporary shelter or a nurse crop and provision made for the estab- 
lishment of conifers or of the better hardwoods to take their place. 
PLANTING WILLOWS. 
SOIL REQUIREMENTS FOR WILLOW PLANTING. 
Willows grow best on a moist, rich, well-drained sandy loam. 
They will, however, tolerate a considerable variation of these con- 
ditions and still make a reasonably satisfactory growth. They will 
grow faster for the first 25 years than any other of the northern 
broadleaf species, with the exception of cottonwood, on any but 
the driest soil. They endure excessive moisture conditions better 
than cottonwood. Willows are not sensitive either to acid or alkaline 
soils, but a poor growth can be expected on soils where either of 
these conditions is very pronounced. Willows prefer land that is 
flat or nearly so, but they grow well on any slope where the other con- 
ditions are favorable. The adaptability of willows makes them 
particularly a waste-land species, but their greatest superiority 
shows itself in plantations on overflow land in the vicinity of streams. 
SPECIES FOR PLANTING. 
In the North undoubtedly the best willow species for planting is 
the crack willow. Its rapid growth, upright form, and freedom from 
side branches or water sprouts when fairly closely planted make it 
superior to every other. Many plantations in the treeless region 
have been of this species, although generally reported as white wil- 
low. The second best species is the white or yellow willow. In 
sheltered positions the weeping willow will grow almost as fast as 
the crack willow, but if exposed will be broken up by the wind at an 
early age. While it is possible for the weeping willow to produce 
almost as much fuel as the crack willow, the form of the tree makes 
the material it produces of little value for anything else. The weeping 
willow recommends itself over the crack willow only for situations 
where its particularly striking and beautiful foliage can be made 
