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Common Name: Peach Leaved Willow

General Information

Salix amygdaloides is a Deciduous Tree up to 20.00 metres tall.
It has medicinal and miscellaneous uses.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

N. America - British Columbia to New York, south to Texas.

Habitat

Along muddy streambanks and in low wet woods bordering rivers, to 2100 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils, including wet, ill-drained or intermittently flooded soils[, ], but prefers a damp, heavy soil in a sunny position[]. Rarely thrives on chalk[].
A fast-growing but relatively short-lived species in the wild[].
A good bee plant, providing an early source of nectar[].
Trees are impatient of root disturbance and should be moved regularly before being planted in their permanent positions, which is best done whilst the plants are young[]. The root system is rather aggressive and can cause problems with drains[].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[]. Although the flowers are produced in catkins early in the year, they are pollinated by bees and other insects rather than by the wind[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An infusion of the bark shavings has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea and stomach ailments[]. A poultice of the bark has been applied to bleeding cuts[].
A decoction of the branch tips has been used as a soak for treating cramps in the legs and feet[].
The fresh bark of all members of this genus contains salicin[], which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body[]. This is used as an anodyne and febrifuge[].

Other Uses

The bark is a source of tannin[].
A light brown dye is obtained from the bark[].
The young stems are very flexible and can be used in basket making[]. The plant is usually coppiced annually when grown for basket making, though it is possible to coppice it every two years if thick poles are required as uprights.
The tenacious root system of this tree makes it very useful for preventing soil erosion along the banks of rivers etc[]. It is also a good pioneer species, readily invading any cleared-out area if there is sufficient moisture[, ]. It is short-lived and not very shade tolerant and so, having provided good conditions for other woodland trees to become established, it is eventually out-competed by them[].
Wood - light, close-grained, soft, weak[, , , ]. It weighs 28lb per cubic foot[]. It is sometimes cut for timber which is used for fence posts, but its uses are mainly limited to charcoal and firewood[, ].

Propagation

Seed - must be surface sown as soon as it is ripe in late spring. It has a very short viability, perhaps as little as a few days.
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, late autumn to late winter in a sheltered outdoor bed or planted straight into their permanent position and given a good weed-suppressing mulch. Very easy. Plant into their permanent positions in the autumn.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, early summer to August in a frame. Very easy.