Willows in the service of man

Abstract

SynopsisSome main uses of the versatile genus Salix are described. The basket willow industry, once nationwide but now concentrated in Somerset, is covered in some detail, noting the site requirements and attributes of the three main basket willow species, Salix triandra L., S. viminalis L. and S. purpurea L. The management of the crops and methods of processing to give the ‘white’ or ‘buff’ coloured rods preferred by basket makers are described, as are the ability and versatility of basketry to produce containers uniquely suited to meet specific needs.Other uses of the shrub willows (sub-genus Vetrix) are outlined, including the stabilisation of slopes and other aspects of bioengineering, amelioration of difficult environments and large-scale amenity urban and motorway plantings.Attention is drawn to opportunities to develop the tree willows (sub-genus Salix) to meet projected timber shortages, to the use of willows for windbreaks and shelter, and to the culture and use of that very British tree – the Cricket Bat Willow (S. alba var. caerulea (Sm.) Sm.).

Willows Beyond Wetlands: Uses of Salix L. Species for Environmental Projects

“…Microclimate changes following the appearance of colonizing willows include an increase of surface shade, annual production of leaf debris, root action and formation of humus, thus improving the soil structure and nutrient status (Stott, 1992).…”

“…In 2-3 years, spaced 30 cm apart, willows will establish an effective windbreak 3-4 m tall, that in 2 years will reach 8 m (Stott, 1992). In more xeric conditions 3-6.5 m poles should be used so their bases reach the late summer water table (Kowalchik, 2001).…”

“…One or two years of supplemental irrigation and weed control may be necessary during plant establishment while roots develop into an extensive system of surface lateral roots or reach the more permanently moist deep soil layers (Sage, 1999). A wide range of soils is suitable for plantings, and soil pH is less important in cultivation than in native habitats (Stott, 1992). Preformed root primordia are present on stem nodes in all species, except S. caprea and S. scouleriana, and ensure fast and inexpensive vegetative propagation.…”

Acclimation of Salix to metal stress

“…Recent research on the potential of short rotation coppice (SRC) willow and poplar as biological filters for waste w"ater and sludge disposal bas led to preliminary studies on metal uptake in clones of tbe fast-grow ing biomass species S. viminalis and S. dasyclados (Landberg & Greger, 1994;Ostman, 1994). These species npically inhabit fertile soils, but other hardier species such as S. caprea and S. cinera (Stott, 1992) grow on nutrient-poor and industrially-contaminated soils (Grime, Hodgson & Hunt, 1988;Eltrop et al, 1991;Kahle, 1993;Punshon & Dickinson, 1997). These characteristics, combined with widespread hybridization between species, suggest that willows might be of use in phytoremediation schemes; appropriate genetic variability for survival on metal-contaminated soils probably already exists.…”

Sexual dimorphism and sex ratio bias in the dioecious willowSalix purpureaL

“…Shrub willows include very diverse species used in a number of horticultural applications ranging from biomass crops, stream bank stabilization, living walls or snow fences, ornamental landscaping, and riparian buffers (Kuzovkina & Quigley, 2005; Stott, 1992). Evidence of sexual dimorphism for key traits suggests that sex of clones selected for particular uses can influence performance.…”