DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 
207 
The Willow Tree. Salix. 
Nat. Ord. Salicacese. Lin. Syst. Dioecia, Diandria. 
A very large genus, comprising plants of almost every 
stature, from minute shrubs of three or four inches iri 
height, to lofty and wide-spreading trees of fifty or sixty 
feet.* They are generally remarkable for their narrow 
leaves, and slender, round, and flexible branches. 
There are few of these willows which are adapted to 
add to the beauty of artificial scenery ; but among them 
are three or four trees, which, from their peculiar 
character, deserve especial notice. These are the Weep* 
ing, or Babylonian willow ( Salix Babylonica), the White, 
or Huntington willow (8. alba), the Golden willow 
(8. vitellina), the Russell willow (8. Russelliana), and the 
profuse Flowering willow ( 8 . caprea). 
The above are all foreign sorts, which, however (except 
the last), have long ago been introduced, and are now 
quite common in the United States. All of them except 
the first, have an upright or wavy, spreading growth, and 
form lofty trees, considerably valued abroad for their 
timber. The White willow and the Russell willow are 
very rapid in their growth, and have a pleasing light green 
foliage. The Golden willow is remarkable for its bright 
yellow bark, which renders it quite ornamental, even in 
winter. It is a middle sized tree, and is often seen 
growing along the road-sides in the eastern and middle 
states. Salix caprea is deserving a place in collections 
for the beauty of its abundant blossoms at an early and 
cheerless period in the spring. 
* Dr. Barratt of Middletown, Conn., who has paid great attention to the 
willow, enumerates 100 species, as growing in North America, eithet 
indigenous or introduced. 
