Willows (Salix spp.)

Form

A large genus of trees and shrubs, some varieties not commonly distinguished from each other; become large when growing along streams and other moist places; scraggly, dwarfed shrubs when growing in drier, less favorable sites. The black willow is native, and the weeping and crack willows were originally foreign, or exotic. On favorable sites, some trees are often 35 to 50 feet high, with a diameter of 6 to 25 inches. The black willow may be 30 to 40 feet high, though it could also be a shrub; usually short trunk, stout, spreading branches, and a broad, rather irregular, open crown. The peach-leaf willow is somewhat greenish-yellow; twigs somewhat drooping.

Bark

Dark brown to gray on large trees; thick, rough, furrowed and flaky.

Leaf

White willow and crack willow leaves: whitish on lower surface; crack willow: large, saw-toothed leaves and twigs that crack or break from branches very easily; white willow: leaves smaller, finely toothed, and often permanently silky; black willow: very narrow leaves, green on both sides; peach-leaf willow: long pointed, lance-shaped leaves, whitish underneath, borne on long, slender, somewhat twisted stems; weeping willow: leaves whitened or pale beneath.

Fruit

Flowers in dense, elongated clusters know as "catkins"; flowers usually appear with leaves in spring. Willows may be propagated with "cuttings" more easily than with seeds. Seeds are minute, maturing in late spring or early summer.

Range

Many varieties occur over a wide range in Wisconsin and the United States from moist conditions to dry upland prairies. Many European and ornamental varieties have been introduced.

Wood

Light brown, soft, weak, flexible, coarse-grained; thin, whitish sapwood; used for fuel, erosion control, ornamental planting, windbreaks and charcoal.