The genus Salix, as recognised in 2019, is comprised of probably more than 300 distinct species (over 500 if you also accept hybrid species). Many of these species are very similar, sometimes being separated as much by native range as by any other characteristic. Hybridization between species is common, when this is coupled with the high genetic and morphological variability within many species, and different levels of ploidy, the complexity of this genus is clear.
Misidentification of specimens is not rare, even amongst botanists, and many records of plant use will often equally apply to one or more related species that were not seen as distinct when the report was made. Equally, several species not included in the database will be found to have a range of these uses. In general, all species in the genus have medicinal uses, especially as antiinflammatories, analgesics and febrifuges, they can all serve as emergency foods, many of them have flexible stems and can be used in basket making, and many of them can be planted in moist to wet conditions in order to stabilize the soil and improve wildlife habitats.

Common Name: White Willow

General Information

Salix alba is a deciduous tree with an open, spreading ctown; it usually grows aup to 20 - 25 metres tall, but can reach 35 metres. It has a short bole usually around 100cm in diameter but can be up to 300cm[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is cultivated for its wood and is also used as a shelterbelt, soil stabilizer and pioneer species for establishing native woodland. It is grown as an ornamental in parks and large gardens.
Salix alba is widespread with stable populations and does not face any major threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2014)[].

Planted for its rods, bank, dike and embankment stabilization, shelter belts, timber and ornament in its natural area, the western Himalayas, North and South America, Australia. Also grown as a supporting tree for Vitis vinifera L. in central Italy. The twigs are used for binding (S. alba subsp. vitellina, E. golden willow, G. Dotterweide, has been cultivated for this purpose since classical times in wine-growing regions) and basketry; S. alba subsp. caerulea, E. cricket-bat willow, is planted in south-eastern England (Essex, Suffolk) for making cricket bats[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eurasia - UK to Spain, east through southern Russia, the Mediterranean and Turkey to West Siberia, central Asia, western and central China; N. Africa

Habitat

By streams and rivers, marshes, woods and wet fens on richer soils[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Salix alba is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -40°c when fully dormant.
A very easily grown plant, it 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[] and dislikes poor thin soils[]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure and atmospheric pollution[, ].
This species is grown commercially for its wood and also as a source of pulp in papermaking and is also used as an ornamental in parks and larger gardens[]. The cultivar 'Caerulea' is famous for its use in making high quality cricket bats[].
There are many sub-species and cultivars in this species[].
A fast-growing but short-lived tree. It can live for around 100 years but often dies earlier due to core-rot[].
Best planted into its permanent position as soon as possible, trees respond badly to transplanting unless they are moved regularly[].
Trees respond well to coppicing or pollarding[].
The flowers are dioecious, male and female flowers being produced on separate plants. If seed is required then at least one plant of each sex need to be growing in reasonable proximity[].
Hybridization in the genus is common, especially when species are brought together in cultivation[].
This species hybridizes freely with other members of the genus, especially Salix fragilis and Salix euxina, to which it is closely related[].
Salix species are unusual in as much as, although they produce their flowers in catkins, these are insect rather than wind pollinated. Indeed, the flowers of many species are excellent sources of nectar for bees and other insects, especially valuable are those species that flower early in the growing season[].
The roots of Salix species are often vigorous and extensive and can range some distance from the plant. Several species are known to cause problems by growing into drains and drainage systems as their roots seek out moisture[].
Species in this genus are often notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Inner bark - raw or cooked. It can be dried, ground into a powder and added to cereal flour then used in making bread etc[]. A very bitter flavour, especially when fresh[, ], it is used as a famine food when all else fails[].

Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked[, ]. Not very palatable[]. They are used only in times of scarcity[].

The leaves can be used as a tea substitute[, ].

Medicinal

Justly famous as the original source of salicylic acid (the precursor of aspirin), white willow and several closely related species have been used for thousands of years to relieve joint pain and manage fevers[].
The bark is anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antiperiodic, antiseptic, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, hypnotic, sedative and tonic[, , , , ]. It has been used internally in the treatment of dyspepsia connected with debility of the digestive organs[], rheumatism, arthritis, gout, inflammatory stages of auto-immune diseases, feverish illnesses, neuralgia and headache[]. Its tonic and astringent properties render it useful in convalescence from acute diseases, in treating worms, chronic dysentery and diarrhoea[]. The fresh bark is very bitter and astringent[]. It contains salicin, which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body[]. This is used as an anodyne and febrifuge[]. The bark is harvested in the spring or early autumn from 3 - 6 year old branches and is dried for later use[, ].
The leaves are used internally in the treatment of minor feverish illnesses and colic[]. An infusion of the leaves has a calming effect and is helpful in the treatment of nervous insomnia[]. When added to the bath water, the infusion is of real benefit in relieving widespread rheumatism[]. The leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season and are used fresh or dried[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast growing tree and tolerant of maritime exposure, it can be grown as a shelterbelt[].
The plant's rapid growth and wind tolerance make it a very good pioneer species to use in establishing woodland conditions in difficult sites. Spacing cuttings about every 5 metres will soon provide shelter and a suitable environment for planting out woodland trees that are not so wind tolerant. The main disadvantage in using this species is that the roots are far-ranging and the plant is quite greedy, so it will not as much effect as species such as the alders (Alnus species) in enriching the soil and thus feeding the woodland plants[].
The tree can be grown along river banks to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.
A very important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterflies[] and a good bee plant, providing an early source of nectar and pollen[]. A very good wildlife habitat, in Britain more than 200 species of insects are associated with this tree[].
Trees cast a relatively light shade

Other Uses

The young stems are very flexible and are used in basket making[, , ]. The stems, especially of the form known as 'Vitellina' are outstandingly flexible and are used as vine stakes, basketry material, brushwood, and props[].
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 bark is fibrous and can be used for tying plants[, ].

The bark is a good source of tannins[, ]. It contains 4 - 11% tannin[].
A reddish-brown dye is obtained from the bark[, ].

A fibre obtained from the stems is used in making paper[]. The stems are harvested in spring or summer, the leaves are removed and the stems steamed until the fibres can be stripped. The fibres are cooked for 2 hours with lye and then beaten with mallets or put through a blender. The paper is red/brown in colour[].

An extract of the bark is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an astringent, hair and skin conditioner, for its soothing effect and as a tonic[].
An extract of the flowers, and also an extract of the leaves, is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].
The powdered bark is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an abrasive, absorbent, skin conditioner and protector[].

The wood is elastic, soft, easy to split, does not splinter. It is used for construction, canoes, turnery, poles, tool handles etc[, , , ].
The wood is used for fuel, though it has only half the calories of beech wood (Fagus species)[]. It is is also used to make charcoal[, ], which has medicinal uses[].

Propagation

Willow seed is very small and light, and has a very short viability, perhaps as little as a few days in some species. It must be surface sown as soon as it is ripe. In nature the seed only germinates in disturbed soils in an open situation. In nursery conditions, sow the seed in a tray in a moderately sunny position and keep the soil moist. Germination is usually quite rapid - prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on until large enough to plant out. Plants generally establish better if planted out whilst quite small.
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth or older can root at almost any time of the year, though late autumn is considered best as this produces a better balance of root and stem growth the following spring[]. Branches of older wood as long as 250cm can be used[]. Plant them in a sheltered outdoor nursery bed or straight into their permanent position and give them a good weed-suppressing mulch. Most species are very easy. Plant into their permanent positions in the following autumn.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, early to mid summer in a frame. Very easy.