Practical
Plants

Salix bebbiana

Beak 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
7 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.

A poultice of the chewed root inner bark has been applied to a deep cut[7]. The shredded inner bark has been used as sanitary napkins to 'heal a woman's insides'[7]. A poultice of the damp inner bark has been applied to the skin over a broken bone[7]. A decoction of the branches has been taken by women for several months after childbirth to increase the blood flow[7]. A poultice of the bark and sap has been applied as a wad to bleeding wounds[7]. 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
Astringent
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Poultice

Material uses

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

A pioneer species, readily invading any cleared-out area if there is sufficient moisture[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]. The pliable stems are used in basket making[5][6]. 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 has been twisted into cord and made into strong rope, bags and dresses[7]. The bark has been used for sewing birch bark onto basket frames[7]. The wood often has diamond-shaped depressions on the bark caused by a fungus. This wood is considered to be very ornamental and is carved into canes, lamp posts and furniture[6]. The wood has also been used to make baseball bats and to make charcoal[6].

Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Charcoal
Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
N. America - Newfoundland to Alaska, south to California.
Habitat
Moist rich soils along streams, lakes and swamps, but also forming dense thickets in open meadows[6]. Found at elevations up to 3000 metres[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 3+
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 short-lived species[6]. This species is closely related to S. starkeana, differing mainly in its more vigorous habit[2]. 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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  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↩6↩7

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

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