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Common Name: Pacific Willow

General Information

Salix lasiolepis is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 12.00 metres tall.
It has medicinal and miscellaneous uses.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Western N. America - Washington to California and Mexico.

Habitat

Well-drained sandy loams to rich rocky or gravelly soils along streams at lower elevations, especially in California where it becomes more tree-like[, ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 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 short-lived species[], it is shrub-like and from 1 - 6 metres tall in the north of its range, becoming more tree-like in California[].
This species is closely related to S. irrorata[].
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[]. They form a valuable early food for bumble bees[].
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

The bark is antipruritic, astringent, diaphoretic and febrifuge[]. An infusion of the bark has been used in the treatment of colds, chills, fevers, measles and various diseases where sweating can be beneficial[]. A decoction of the bark has been used as a wash for itchy skin[].
An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of colds and diarrhoea[].
A decoction of the catkins has been used in the treatment of colds[].
The fresh bark 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 stems have been used in basket making[, ]. The stems have been split for making coiled baskets or as for the weft in twined baskets, whilst they are used unsplit as the warp in twined baskets[]. 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 tough inner bark, harvested in the spring, has been used to make rope and clothing[].
The wood is close-grained, light, soft and weak, but has been used for fuel and to make charcoal[, ].

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.