Salix alba

Botanical Description

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[ 74 Title Flora of the USSR. Publication Author Komarov. V. L. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Israel Program for Scientific Translation Year 1968 ISBN - Description An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. 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)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. 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[ 317 Title Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants Publication Author Website http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336 Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Terse details of a huge range of useful plants. ].