Practical
Plants

Salix amygdaloides

Peach Leaved Willow

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Salix genus in the family Salicaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Salix
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
20 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Bees
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An infusion of the bark shavings has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea and stomach ailments[8]. A poultice of the bark has been applied to bleeding cuts[8]. A decoction of the branch tips has been used as a soak for treating cramps in the legs and feet[8]. The fresh bark of all members of this genus contains salicin[5], which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body[4]. This is used as an anodyne and febrifuge[5].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Febrifuge

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bark is a source of tannin[5]. A light brown dye is obtained from the bark[5]. The young stems are very flexible and can be used in basket making[8]. 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[5]. It is also a good pioneer species, readily invading any cleared-out area if there is sufficient moisture[5][6]. 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[K]. Wood - light, close-grained, soft, weak[9][5][6][7]. It weighs 28lb per cubic foot[7]. It is sometimes cut for timber which is used for fence posts, but its uses are mainly limited to charcoal and firewood[5][6].

Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Charcoal
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Tannin
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

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[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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, November to February 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, June to August in a frame. Very easy.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most soils, including wet, ill-drained or intermittently flooded soils[1][2], but prefers a damp, heavy soil in a sunny position[3]. Rarely thrives on chalk[3]. A fast-growing but relatively short-lived species in the wild[6]. A good bee plant, providing an early source of nectar[2]. 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[2]. The root system is rather aggressive and can cause problems with drains[3]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[3]. Although the flowers are produced in catkins early in the year, they are pollinated by bees and other insects rather than by the wind[2]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[3]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  4. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

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  5. Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0889025649

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  6. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  7. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

    ↩1↩2

  8. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩

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