Uses
Edible uses
Notes
Young shoots - raw or cooked. They are not very palatable[1].
The source of an edible manna[2]. No further details.Inner bark
Leaves
Sap
Material uses
The bark is tough and flexible, it is used as a substitute for leather[4]. The bark contains around 10% tannin[5]. The plant is fast growing and tolerant of maritime exposure, it can be used as a windbreak hedge and shelterbelt though it is of untidy habit[6]. The seeds are very light and so can travel some distance in the wind. The plant is therefore able to find its way to areas such as cleared woodland where the soil has been disturbed. Seedlings will grow away quickly, even in exposed conditions and the plant will provide good shelter for the establishment of woodland plants. Thus it makes a good pioneer species and, except in wetter and moorland-type soils, will eventually be largely out-competed by the other woodland trees. Its main disadvantage as a pioneer plant is that it has an extensive root system and is quite a greedy plant, thus it will not help as much in enriching the soil for the other woodland plants as other pioneer species such as the alders, Alnus species[K]. Some cultivars can be grown as ground cover[7]. 'Pendula' is female whilst 'Kilmarnock' is a male, they should be spaced about 1.5 metres apart each way[7].
Wood - soft, elastic, easily split. Used for baskets, rugs etc[8][3]. A good quality charcoal is made from the wood[8][3].Medicinal uses(Warning!)
A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of fevers[11]. A distilled water from the flowers is aphrodisiac, cordial and stimulant[11]. It is used externally in the treatment of headaches and ophthalmia[11]. The ashes of the wood are useful in the treatment of haemoptysis[11]. The stems and the leaves are astringent[11].
A gum and the juice of the trees are used to increase visual powers[11].Unknown part
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Canopy, Secondary canopy or Soil surface
Ecological Functions
Ground cover
Hedge
Pioneer
Windbreak
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
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. Cuttings of this species do not root well[12]. Plant into their permanent positions in the autumn.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, June to August in a frame. Cuttings of this species do not root well[12].Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Salix caprea. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
A fast growing tree, it establishes well[6]. The tree has an untidy habit[6]. A light demanding tree, it becomes tall and drawn when grown in woodland, though it grows well along the sunnier edges[14]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[12]. Although the flowers are produced in catkins early in the year, they are pollinated by bees and other insects rather than by the wind[16]. Trees are very tolerant of cutting, they coppice well[14]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[12].
Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Salix caprea. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Salix caprea.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
References
- ? 1.01.11.2 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
- ? 2.02.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
- ? 3.03.13.23.3 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
- ? 4.04.1 Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
- ? 5.05.1 Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. (1946-00-00)
- ? 6.06.16.26.36.4 Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1984-00-00)
- ? 7.07.17.2 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
- ? 8.08.18.2 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
- ? 9.09.19.2 Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. ISBN 0889025649 (1989-00-00)
- ? 10.010.1 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
- ? 11.011.111.211.311.411.511.6 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
- ? 12.012.112.212.312.412.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
- ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
- ? 14.014.114.214.3 Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold (1979-00-00)
- ? 15.015.1 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
- ? 16.016.1 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
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